V Tiel
A Day
You were the costume designer for What’s
New Pussycat’s actresses, which was shot
in Paris. How did this job come about and
what impact did it have on your career
path?
V Tiel
Hollywood producer Charlie Feldman and
set designer Dick Sylbert saw us dancing
in Paris chez Castel and hired us on the
spot as our clothes were wild and different,
just what he wanted for the “far out”
movie. We had already been shot for Elle
magazine and Life Magazine as we
showed the mini dress in a July 64 Paris
runway show of Louis Feraud’s and got all
over Europe press. We were World famous
3 months after graduation.
A Day
A lifelong friendship with one of Hollywood’s
most celebrated actresses, Elizabeth
Taylor, was ignited between the two of
you. Will you tell us about your initial
encounter and how the friendship blossomed?
Louis met us at a Paris wedding and loved
our mini dresses. In the movie studio in
Paris, we met Elizabeth Taylor and became
her designer. We then opened a dress shop
with her. I became her best friend and married
her make up man.
She had grown up in movies and I was a
cheerleader. We were both creative strong
but opposites growing up, I was in reality,
Elizabeth in cinema and she wanted a
strong best friend for advise. I loved her
because she loved “equality” for race and
gays. Mia left and went to the US to
become a sculptor.
A Day
Can you comment on how your other
relationships with some of Hollywood’s
famous celebrities lead to a successful and
glamorous career in the film and fashion industry?
V Tiel
I became friends with Goldie Hawn,
Warren Beatty, Stephanie Powers, and
Elvis and Priscilla Presley. (my husband
was Elvis’ make up man too.) We also
were close to Sophia Loren, Brigitte
Bardot, Jane Birkin, Nathalie and Alain
Delon, Jean Paul Belmondo. We were all
sexy women who loved men!!