Born in Oakland, California, Miles has been described as the top Broadway musical costume designer for 25 years. An award winning designer, Miles created numerous costumes including for the Ziegfield Follies, and the musicals Oklahoma, Carousel, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. His drawings are in numerous collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

He was awarded a 1951 Tony for costuming the play Bless You All, and a 1953 Tony for his costume designs in Hazel Flagg. Miles died in New York City, of natural causes.