From America’s Gilded Age to the Global Stage: Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin Reimagines an Iconic Legacy for the 21st Century
- Norah Lawlor
- Jan 19
- 4 min read
American Dynasty Seventh-Generation Heir Launches House of Vanderbilt
The Vanderbilt name built America’s railroads, helped define its art and philanthropy—and now, seventh-generation descendant Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin is carrying that legacy into a new era. Entrepreneur, recording artist, and philanthropist, Costin is redefining what heritage looks like in the digital age with the launch of The House of Vanderbilt, a modern family office built at the intersection of innovation, purpose, and legacy.
From railroads to runways, the Vanderbilt story has always been about building what’s next. With The House of Vanderbilt, Consuelo fuses timeless values with forward-thinking investments across culture, fashion, and technology—transforming one of America’s most celebrated family names into a living platform for creativity and global impact.
“The House of Vanderbilt honors our past while investing boldly in the future,” says Consuelo. “Legacy only endures when it evolves, and this generation’s railroads are technology, creativity, and purpose.”
This year, Consuelo Vanderbilt-Costin delivered opening remarks at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City as President of the 2025 Sessions of the Council of Global Change (CGC) with YPO and The World Bank. In her address, “Sovereign Pathways for Development,” she called for a redefinition of global cooperation rooted in national identity and shared progress. “True development is not something imposed from the outside,” she told the assembly. “Sovereignty is not about standing apart—it is about engaging the world with purpose and strategy.”
Drawing on her family’s legacy of innovation and public service, she urged leaders to unite government, technology, and culture through measurable systems that empower nations with resilience, creativity, and institutional strength.
Just like some of her Gilded Age predecessors, Consuelo built her own path. A Billboard-charting recording artist, she has performed worldwide alongside Vanessa Carlton, Mya, and Joe Cocker, with five singles reaching the Top 20 and her hit “Body Needs” climbing to #5. Through her company, C&R Productions, she earned Billboard’s #2 Breakout Artist honor.
Beyond music, she launched the jewelry line Homage by Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin with HSN and founded SohoMuse, now the leading professional network for the global creative community—built by creatives, for creatives. Her ability to blend art, business, and technology exemplifies the modern Vanderbilt spirit: independent, visionary, and global.
In recognition of her achievements as an artist, entrepreneur, and visionary innovator, Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin has been selected to receive a Special Recognition Award at the 2025 Latin Fashion Awards, to be held on Wednesday, November 19th, 2025. This honor celebrates her dynamic career in music, business, and philanthropy—and her groundbreaking work as Founder of SohoMuse, which uplifts and connects creative professionals across industries worldwide. The Latin Fashion Awards cited her “passion for empowering others” and her “lasting impact on the worlds of art, culture, and fashion.”
As a distinguished honoree, Costin will be celebrated on the international stage in recognition of her contributions to creativity, authenticity, and innovation—values that lie at the heart of The House of Vanderbilt and her mission to inspire the next generation of global leaders. With The House of Vanderbilt, Consuelo is not only redefining her own legacy—she is inspiring a new generation of heirs, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to do the same. Her message resonates with next-gen family leaders who view capital as a tool for impact, not excess.
Today’s family offices are becoming powerful partners in venture investing—with 68% increasing direct investments in startups and average checks of $1.8 million. They are increasingly interested in founders themselves—not just the businesses—seeking to back innovative, values-driven leaders who prioritize integrity, governance, and purpose. Consuelo is helping lead this movement, collaborating alongside the venture capital community to accelerate meaningful, long-term growth.
From America’s Gilded Age to the digital era, The House of Vanderbilt stands as a symbol of modern heritage—proving that true legacy is not just about preserving the past, but shaping the future.
For more information, visit www.houseofvanderbilt.com.
About Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin:
Serial entrepreneur and visionary Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin have made a lasting impact across multiple industries, from music and fashion to business and philanthropy. A descendant of the legendary Vanderbilt family, she was recently featured in ELYSIAN Magazine as one of New York City's most influential and inspirational women. With a career as a singer, songwriter, actress, and entrepreneur, Consuelo continues to shape industries and inspire those around her while also championing the lessons from her family’s endeavors as a Board member of the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum in Long Island, NY.
Her music career has seen her perform globally alongside Vanessa Carlton, Mya, and Joe Cocker, with her singles consistently ranking in the Billboard Top 20. As the founder of C&R Productions, she has achieved multiple chart-topping hits, including “Naked” and “Feel So Alive,” which earned her Billboard’s #2 Breakout Artist honor. Her last five singles were top 20 in the USA, last three singles achieved top 10 places. Her last single made #5 in the US Charts. In addition, Consuelo has also toured extensively in Europe and the United States.
In addition to her music career, Consuelo has made her mark in the fashion industry, launching the jewelry line Homage by Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin with HSN. She is also the founder of SohoMuse, the leading professional network for creative industries, designed by creatives for creatives.
For more information about SohoMuse, please visit www.sohomuse.com.
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