Gloria Vanderbilt: An Appreciation

 
Gloria Vanderbilt was a debutante often unfairly labeled a dilettante. She was creating collages, decoupaging and decorating in an inspired American Country Style long before those things were mainstream. Her art was whimsical, folk-inspired yet modern and very, very feminine. I loved what I saw in magazines yet still couldn't decide if she was a genuine talent. She was.

The Coopers surrounded by Gloria's art and design skills

Her 1976 foray into fashion (blue jeans of all things)* was a highly successful venture let alone feminist statement. Yet still I questioned her motives.

Odd publicity shot to say the least...

The years gave her the respect she deserved. She remained active as an artist and a searcher for all of life's gifts. Now that she has died—at age 95—it's time to recognize her as one of the most fascinating and creative of women.

Glamorous shot by Avedon

Gloria Vanderbilt's background and history are well-documented. I hope you investigate how she became the 1920's "poor little rich girl", shocking the world with her marriages—one when she was 20 to world renowned conductor Leopold Stokowski, 42 years her senior—and love affairs (including Frank Sinatra).

With Stokowski in 1950

 
She was almost always in the public eye but accepted the curiosity and notoriety even during personal tragedies (the suicide of her son Carter in 1988). In recent years her status as Anderson Cooper's mother may have been her greatest fame. The CNN reporter and anchor spoke of her often and produced a conversation, "Nothing Left Unsaid", for HBO in 2016 that is candid and loving.

Anderson and Gloria

How does Gloria fit in my universe of all things fashion? Here's where we begin to see how fashion is really a component of style, and style is where the art is. That makes us artists every time we get dressed, and it makes us admirers of those who have the art in their dna. That would be Gloria.

* The company still exists, but Gloria sold her rights and interests in it many years ago.