Gloria Vanderbilt with her line of denim - 1979 // LIFE Archives
Before Calvin, before JAG, and before FRAME - there was Gloria. An it girl and model by trade, Gloria Vanderbilt was a trailblazer when she released her line of bum-hugging designer jeans in 1976.
Embroidered with her signature and a small gold swan, Gloria Vanderbilt designed denim for a brief but impactful moment. A contemporary to HI favorites like Mary McFadden and Zandra Rhodes - but rarely given her flowers - we're taking a scroll through the life and looks of this Queen of Jean.
Gloria Vanderbilt at her wedding to Pasquale DiCicco - 1941
Gloria at home - 1967
Gloria in her signature bold accessories - 1968
Gloria with her fourth husband and father to Anderson Cooper, Wyatt Cooper - 1968
Gloria at a fitting with Adolfo - 1969
Gloria at home for Vogue - 1970
Gloria at a ball at the Plaza hotel - 1970
Gloria with her sons, Carter and Anderson - 1972
Gloria at the tribute to Charlie Chaplin - 1972
Gloria with her sons, Carter and Anderson - 1976
Gloria and Wyatt Cooper at the White House - 1976
Portrait of the designer - 1978
Gloria wearing a custom gown by Zandra Rhodes - 1983
Gloria in her painting studio - 1995
Photos // Getty Images