At Strand bookstore, I picked up a book by the iconic 1960’s designer, Vicky Tiel. Even better it was autographed by Vicky Tiel herself!
While at Parsons School of Design she started a company with classmate Mia Fonssagrives who was the daughter of legendary model, Lisa Fonssagrives. Vicky and Mia are credited with introducing the mini dress to America. They had a popular trendy shop in Paris and their clothes were worn by 60’s celebrities including Kim Novack, Goldie Hawn, Elizabeth Taylor and Lauren Hutton.
“It’s All About The Dress” is not so much about clothes but the incredible life that Tiel lived in Hollywood and Europe. She dated Woody Allen, was the first to wear crochet mini skirt and thigh high boots and designed movie costumes for Marlon Brando. She married Richard Burtons’ make-up artist and became part of the Taylor/Burton entourage.
Whatever life threw at her, she never gave up. When her tumultuous first marriage ended, she found another long, happy marriage with a scuba diver twenty years her junior. Today she is in her 80’s and designing exclusive gowns for Bergdorf Goodman. In truth, “Its All About The Dress” is so much than about a dress.