Washington Mews

One of the most beautiful streets in New York is Washington Mews.  The private cobblestone street was originally lined with the carriage houses that serviced the surrounding homes.  They were later turned into artists studios and housing for New York University. Gloria Vanderbilt's aunt, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney lived on the street for the last two years of her life which at the time was close to the old home of the Whitney Museum.  Gloria often stayed with her aunt and she based her room at the Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse last year on her room in the 60 Washington Mews house.  Since 1953, part of old space has been home to Jean Bach.  The documentary filmmaker and her late husband entertained famous artists and musicians in the decor seen here.  I always wondered about the interiors of the homes on Washington Mews and I'm not surprised that they are just as beautiful as the street outside. 

Photo by Annie Schlechter

The World of Gloria Vanderbilt

Wendy Goodman is a very busy author.  She writes for the Home Design section of New York magazine and also found time to write the new book The World of Gloria Vanderbilt.  It seems like a perfect pairing since design plays a big part in Gloria's life.  As she says in the magazine, "decorating is autobiography" and it's fun to see her progression from patchwork quilts to dramatic glamour in her apartment.  I can only imagine that the stories in the book are just as interesting!

Gloria Vanderbilt in front of a portrait of her mother and with a cardboard cut out of her son Anderson Cooper.

The painting above the fireplace was painted by Gloria in 1953 but she paints the fireplace when the mood strikes her.  

Gloria in front of anther fireplace during her quilt phase.

The entrance hall.

"A portrait by Miguel Covarrubias of Gloria’s half-sister, Cathleen, hangs in the entrance hall."

I love the mix of patterns and textures in this room vignette.

Gloria's studio.

Gloria's current living room.

Gloria's home was also featured in Elle Decor magazine in October 2000.

Gloria with her sons Carter and Anderson Cooper.  Carter committed suicide in 1988 at the age of 23.

Gloria's bedroom in her quilt decorating period.

Gloria and her children.

Photos from W magazine, New York magazine, and Style Court

Gloria Vanderbilt To Carry Designer Stretch Jean

The Gloria Vanderbilt jeans brand revolutionized the women’s denim market in the 1980’s by launching the world’s first ‘designer stretch jean’ – going on to sell out of its figure flattering miracles to delighted women customers the world over. The brand enjoyed iconic celebrity status and was worn by models, actresses, singers and royalty including Debbie Harry, Helena Christensen, Kate Moss and Giselle.

Now Gloria Vanderbilt is back in the UK – re-launched with a brand new premium stretch denim range designed to appeal to women in the 2010’s in the same way the original was designed to appeal to 1980’s women. 

The brand ethos is the same – classy, quality denim wear that keeps all the curves comfortably, stylishly and effortlessly in the right place, however the designs and the technology that supports them have been totally revised to provide the most effective figure flattering package there is.UK women can beat the bulge this season with Gloria Vanderbilt’s SS10 ‘made to fit’ denim collection.

Panels of hi-tech stretch denim reach across the hips, waist and bottom, smoothing out lumps and bumps and flattering the contours for a shapely silhouette. The range of styles available includes slim, skinny and boot cut fits. Gloria Vanderbilt denim is specifically targeted at the discerning, design conscious woman desiring the cachet of a designer label but also wanting a flattering, comfortable quality garment.

Gloria Vanderbilt jeans brand

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