Years active: 1940-1980.
Known for: Socialite and fashion icon.
Net worth: unknown millions.
Gloria Guinness, born Gloria Rubio y Alatorre, was a Mexican socialite and fashion icon, as well as a contributing editor to ” Harper’s Bazaar” from 1963 to 1971, considered to be one of the most elegant women in modern history. She frequently lied about her origins, claiming she was from Veracruz, and that her father was a revolutionary killed in a war. In truth, she was born in Guadalajara, and her father was a journalist who died of natural causes.
She often wrote for “Harper’s Bazaar” and was voted the second best-dressed woman in the world by Time in 1962, losing out only to Jackie Kennedy. There’s even a rumor Gloria was employed as a spy. Gloria died in 1980 at the age of sixty-eight.
C.Z. Guest
Years active: 1940-1990.
Known for: Actress, socialite, author, fashion designer.
Net worth: $5 million.
There's nothing like royalty, and even though America has no kings or queens, C.Z. Guest is pretty close. Born to an investment banker and C.Z.'s real name is Lucy Douglas, but when her brother gave her the nickname “Sissy” during childhood, the name stuck even though it became C.Z.
She dabbled in acting, married Winston Frederick Churchill Guest, and Ernest Hemingway was the best man. She appeared on the cover of Time in 1962, and had numerous paintings done of her, including by Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol. She was, of course, a friend of Truman Capote. Guest died at the age of eighty-three in 2003.
Marella Agnelli
Years active: 1970-2010.
Known for: Noblewoman, art collector, socialite.
Net worth: $5 million.
A frequent face within the pages of Vogue, Marella Agnelli was the wife of Fiat chairman Gianni Agnelli. She was an avid gardener and even authored a few books on the subject. Once again, she was friends with Truman Capote, and her life was portrayed in the biographical film " Infamous" in 2006 – Isabella Rossellini played her.
She was an occasional editor and photographer for Vogue, and also created her own textile line. Agnelli was named to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1963 and died in 2019 at the age of ninety-one.
Slim Keith
Years active: 1950-1960.
Known for: Model.
Net worth: $5 million.
Nancy “Slim” Keith was an American New York socialite and fashion icon during the fifties and sixties. While she was well known as a fashion trend-setter, one of her biggest actions was bringing Lauren Bacall to Hollywood. She showed her then-husband, Howard Hawks, a magazine cover with Bacall's picture on it, and the rest is history.
Dubbed the original “California Girl” thanks to her golden looks and athletic ability, she at one point pursued a career in opera but decided it was too demanding. Keith died at the age of seventy-two in 1990.
Chessy Rayner
Years active: 1950-1990.
Known for: Decorator and fashion icon.
Net worth: Many millions.
With a zeal for unique decorating ideas and a classic beauty herself, Chessy Rayner paved the way for interesting styles the world over. She and her husband, William P. Rayner, were a fast-paced, beautiful couple who frequently appeared in "Women's Wear Daily".
When her mother remarried and became the wife of Iva S. V. Patcevitch, the chairman of Conde Nast, Chessy became a fixture of the Manhattan social scene. Rather than relaxing, Chessy became a fashion editor and writer for Vogue. She passed away at the age of sixty-six in 1998.