Born in Brazil in 1938 to Rudi and Erna Feitler, Bea (pronounced "Be-ah") Feitler first moved to New York in 1956 to study at the Parsons School of Design. After graduating in 1959 with a degree in Graphic Arts and Advertising, she returned to Brazil for a two year stint with the progressive art magazine Senhor.

In 1961, at the invitation of her former instructor and Harper's Bazaar Art Director Marvin Israel, Feitler returned to New York to work at the magazine, eventually replacing Israel as Co-Art Director in 1963. It was during her time at the magazine that Ms. Feitler made numerous professional connections, and began to establish the signature style, that would shape the next twenty years of her successful career. She credited working for Editor Diana Vreeland as a useful apprenticehip in magazine publishing, fashion, and fostering artistic inspiration; and her professional relationship with the photographer Richard Avedon began during this time as well.

Enticed by the opportunity to launch a new project of her own, in 1972 Feitler joined Gloria Steinem in creating the new feminist monthly, MS. Magazine. As Art Director from 1972 to 1978, she shaped the image of the publication through overseeing its layout and flow, in addition to creating many of the magazine's covers. Among the most memorable of her covers was the image of Wonder Woman as a crusading feminist.

Following her time at MS., Feitler founded her own design firm and served as a consulting Art Director for Conde Nast Publications, whom she assisted in launching Self Magazine. She was also Design Director at Rolling Stone Magazine from 1975 until 1981, and taught Visual Design at the School of Visual Arts from 1974 until 1980.

Her work as a freelance graphic designer included the design of numerous books, book and record covers, magazines and commercial catalogs, and even costumes and programs for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Feitler was unique to the design field in her insistence upon receiving title page credit--and publication royalties--for her book projects. Among the books she designed were Jacques-Henri Lartigue's Diary of a Century, edited by Richard Avedon; Boris Kochno's Diaghilev, and the Ballets Russes; Helmut Newton's White Women; and Brendan Gill's Cole: A Biography Essay. Her record covers included the 1976 Black and Blue cover for the Rolling Stones. Feitler was also responsible for the graphic design of Avedon's 19xx LOOK magazine psychedelic photographs of The Beatles.

Feitler won numerous design awards from the Art Directors Club in New York, the American Institute of Graphic Arts, the Society of Illustrators, and the Society of Publications Designers.

In 1982, at the age of 44, Bea Feitler died of cancer.

1938

Born in Brazil.

1956

Moves to New York to attend Parsons School of Design.

1959

Graduates from Parsons with a degree in Graphic Arts and Advertising.

Returns to Brazil and establishes Estudio G design firm, while working at Senhor, a progressive art magazine.

1961

Returns to New York to work at Harper’s Bazaar.

1963-1972

Replaces Marvin Israel as co-art director of Harper's Bazaar with Ruth Ansel.

1972

Joins Gloria Steinem in launching Ms. magazine.

1974-1980

Teaches Visual Design at the School of Visual Arts, New York.

1975-1981

Builds freelance career, designing for books, record album covers, advertising campaigns and catalogs, among other projects.

Designs for Rolling Stone magazine

1978

Becomes consulting art director for Condé Nast Publications. Designs the look of the new Self magazine.

1981

Designs the first issue of the comeback version of Vanity Fair magazine.

1982

Dies on April 8 at age 44.