Vicky Tiel, self-proclaimed inventor of the miniskirt and wrap dress (look out, Diane von Furstenberg!), has produced a memoir that might more aptly be titled "It's All About the Sex." While her career as a fashion designer is covered here, Tiel's book focuses on Hollywood flings and gossip from the '60s and '70s. Unintentionally or not, the read is an utter hoot.
Tiel's over-the-top narrative is full of chutzpah, whether she gleefully recounts standing up Woody Allen after he beat out another director in a contest to take her to bed or shamelessly details her role as a mistress to the married make-up artist of none other than Elvis Presley. Tiel speaks with adoration about her friendship with the generous, larger-than-life Elizabeth Taylor, whom she dressed for many years, but gives other stars shorter shrift (although Mia Farrow apparently gives quite the lap dance).
This rollicking escapade of booze, drugs and travel is interspersed with sex advice (be nothing if not enthusiastic), life lessons from Miles Davis and Coco Chanel and, inexplicably, many recipes from the stars (spaghetti by Sophia Loren, anyone?). In between her motorcycle ride with Paul Newman and tantric lovemaking with Warren Beatty, Tiel also writes about her groundbreaking, fashion-forward designs, such as the red draped "Pretty Woman" dress she created for Julia Roberts. But in a book that's "all about the dress," a photograph or two would have made this far-out recounting of Tiel's life even groovier. --Natalie Papailiou, author of blog MILF: Mother I'd Like to Friend