Tuesday marks the 100th anniversary of Gloria Vanderbilt’s birth. Scion of the Vanderbilt dynasty, actress, author and fashion designer, the New York socialite left her mark on the spheres of art, fashion and entertainment.
Gloria Laura Vanderbilt was born in Manhattan, New York City, on Feb. 20, 1924, as the only child of railroad heir Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt and Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt. Her father died when she was still a baby, leaving her with a vast fortune and a high-profile family name. Following his death, she moved with her mother to Europe.
Vanderbilt grew up under the spotlight. When she was 10 years old, her name was printed in the newspapers due to a highly publicized custody battle between her mother and aunt, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, who was considered one of the richest women of her time.
In the trial, Vanderbilt Whitney accused Morgan Vanderbilt of not being a good mother to her niece after the child got tonsillitis and was left in New York to be taken care of by Vanderbilt Whitney. After seven weeks of the trial, Judge Carew ruled in favor of the aunt.
During her adolescence and early adulthood, Vanderbilt found herself drawn to the worlds of art and fashion. She studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse and art at the Art Students League of New York. Later, she pursued a career as an artist and gained recognition for her paintings and collages. In the 1950s, Vanderbilt hosted her own art exhibition, demonstrating her talent and passion for the creative arts.
Vanderbilt ventured into the realm of acting, making her Broadway debut in the play “The Time of Your Life” in 1955.
It was in the realm of fashion that Vanderbilt left an indelible mark. In the late 1970s, she launched her eponymous designer jeans brand, Gloria Vanderbilt Jeans, in partnership with designer Mohan Murjani. The line became known for its signature swan logo (a reference to Vanderbilt’s first stage role in 1954, in “The Swan”) and form-fitting, stretchy jeans.
The Gloria Vanderbilt Jeans brand underwent several ownership changes in the subsequent years following its inception. After initial success, the brand faced challenges and transitions. In the 1980s, it became part of Murjani Group, and later, Jones Apparel Group acquired it in 2002 for $138 million, as previously reported by WWD.
Vanderbilt’s influence on fashion extended beyond her denim empire. She was close friends with designers Diane von Fürstenberg, Ralph Lauren and Karl Lagerfeld, and often featured in best-dressed lists.
The heiress was also an author. She penned several memoirs and novels, including “Once Upon a Time: A True Story,” which delved into her tumultuous childhood and the infamous custody battle.
Vanderbilt was married four times; her last husband was author Wyatt Emory Cooper, with whom she had two kids, Carter Vanderbilt Cooper and CNN news anchor Anderson Cooper. Carter died at 23 years old in 1988.
Gloria Vanderbilt died at her home in Manhattan on June 17, 2019, aged 95.
