Hollywood turns out for party celebrating book on Gloria Vanderbilt

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Angelenos got a glimpse into “The World of Gloria Vanderbilt” at the Ralph Lauren boutique on Robertson Boulevard on Wednesday, when Kelly Meyer, right, co-hosted a celebration of Wendy Goodman’s new book about the world-famous heiress, artist, model, writer, jeans designer and fashion icon.

Although Anderson Cooper, Vanderbilt’s son, was also slated to co-host, organizers said that breaking news prevented the CNN reporter from coming. But his absence hardly stopped guests from snapping up books with Goodman’s signature.

“She was the most mysterious person I’ve ever met,” said Goodman, left, whose mother used to take her to Vanderbilt’s Christmas parties. “She had an extraordinary life, and I always thought there was no woman more glamorous.”

Maria-Flora Smoller, a Vanderbilt relation, brought her daughter Ellery. Smoller’s great-grandmother, Gertrude Whitney Vanderbilt, raised Gloria. “I’ve just looked at some photographs in the book,” she said. “I can’t wait to get home and dive into it.”

For some guests, such as Anna Carter, the book party was just one affair in a packed pre-Oscar agenda. “I’m out every day, every night,” said Carter, whose husband, Graydon Carter, is editor of Vanity Fair, sponsor of a celebrated post-Oscar bash.

Also stopping into the boutique were Colleen Bell, Kelly Lynch, Wendy Stark, Richard Buckley, Nancy Davis, Anne Douglas, Marion Laurie, Suzanne Zimmer, Rosanna Arquette, Wanda McDaniel, sisters Odelia and Ornela Samuels, Hutton Wilkinson, co-author with Goodman of “Tony Duquette;” and Kelly Meyer’s husband, Universal Studios president Ron Meyer.

--Ellen Olivier

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