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Alexis Bittar

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American costume jewelry designer

Bittar in 2021

Alexis Bittar is the designer and CEO of the eponymous jewelry and lifestyle brand. He was credited for reviving the art costume jewelry movement in the 1990s.

In 2010, Bittar won the CFDA Accessory Designer of the Year award. In November 2014, he received the Brand of the year from The Accessories Council.

Personal life

Bittar was born in 1968 in Brooklyn, New York City to Bob and Helen Bittar, both university professors and antique collectors.

At age ten, Bittar began selling flowers from a hand-painted cart near his home in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn. As a teenager, he sold antique jewelry and vintage clothing on St. Mark's Street in New York City. Once, as a birthday present, Bittar's parents purchased him $300.00 worth of vintage jewelry that he then used as the seedlings of his nascent commercial operation. Bittar discovered the New York club scene while attending the Bronx High School of Science, which fueled his interest in fashion and design.

Bittar briefly attended State University of New York at Albany, but dropped out during his second semester. Bittar returned to New York and supported himself selling antique jewelry and vintage clothing on the streets of lower Manhattan. Bittar closed the door on drugs and alcohol and got sober by the time he was 22. He continued to pursue his interest in jewelry and design, focusing on his own line of costume jewelry influenced by the antique collectibles he grew up around.

Bittar has three children.

Bittar married Jack Miner in June 2023.

Career

In 1988, Bittar began to design his own line of jewelry. He bought his first block of Lucite in 1990 and holed up in his apartment figuring out how to hand carve it into the jewelry vision he had.

Using Lucite and semi-precious stones and metals, Bittar began selling handmade pieces on the streets of Soho. Dawn Mello, the fashion director of Bergdorf Goodman, discovered his work in 1992 and agreed to carry his designs, followed by Saks Fifth Avenue, the Museum of Modern Art, Harrods, and Isetan in Japan.

In 1996, he designed a limited edition set of home wares for Barneys New York and Takashimaya, and a collection of Lucite and steel furniture for The Cooper Hewitt Museum.

In 1998, Bittar launched the first of what would become many designer collaborations, working with Burberry, the British luxury fashion house. Bittar designed Burberry's first Ready-to-wear jewelry collection, interpreting their trademark plaid onto Lucite. Subsequent collaborations include legendary stylist and costume designer Patricia Field for Sex and the City, the Cooper-Hewitt Museum, Estee Lauder, Michael Kors, Jason Wu, Jeremy Scott, Mugler and Phillip Lim.

In 1999, he designed the first Burberry´s first Ready-to-Wear jewelry collection.

Michelle Obama regularly chose to wear Alexis Bittar pieces. Other celebrities who have been seen wearing the brand are: Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Solange Knowles, Drew Barrymore, Cardi B., Doja Cat,Megan Thee Stallion, Halsey, Karlie Kloss, The Duchess of Sussex, Cameron Diaz, Alicia Keys, and Christina Aguilera.

In 2004, Bittar opened his first boutique on Broome St. and went on to open a total of 15 stores in the US.

Bittar's pieces appeared on his first Vogue France Cover featuring Anna Selezneva in two of his gold cuffs, shot by Mert & Marcus styled by Carine Roitfeld for the September 2008 Issue.

In 2010, Bittar featured Joan Collins as the face of his Spring campaign. Bittar wanted to mimic 80's fashion and believed Joan was perfect for this role considering she was the 1980s soap opera Queen.

Fashion icon Lauren Hutton was the face for the brand's 2011 ad campaign photographed by artist and photographer Jack Pierson.

Bittar continued his focus on iconic women by casting the comedy Duo Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumely in the fall campaign dressed as their infamous characters, Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone from the hit British show 'Absolutely Fabulous'.

In spring 2015, Bittar cast two of the industry's most well known names in his ads, 93-year-old fashion eccentric Iris Apfel, and Tavi Gevinson, the teen blogger turned rookie editor turn Broadway star- 19. The ads were meant to highlight the essence of strong women.

In fall 2015, Zoe Kravitz fronts Bittar. The ad showcases Kravitz's style.

In 2010, Bittar entered into partnership with Private Equity company TSG Consumer Partners and in 2015, they sold to Carolee LLC, the jewelry arm of Brooks Brothers.

After a five-year absence, Bittar reacquired the brand from Brooks Brothers after they filed for bankruptcy in fall of 2020. Bittar is again full owner of his brand which relaunched in fall 2021 with expanded product categories including accessories and handbags. Six new brick and mortar boutiques were opened in New York City and San Francisco in September and October 2021 designed by Tony award winning scenic designer, Scott Pask.

Since reacquiring his namesake brand, Bittar's new collections have received global admiration. Bittar's signature bangle stacks graced the December 2022 cover of British Vogue, worn by supermodel Iman, styled by Kate Phelan

Alexis Bittars' Celerbtiy fan base ranges from Megan Thee Stallion to The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle. Other celebrities who repeatedly choose to wear Alexis Bittar Jewelry & Handbags include Angelina Jolie, Halsey, Cardi B, Lizzo, Viola Davis, Karlie Kloss and Gisele Bundchen

In 2023 Bittar receives his fourth Accessories Council of Excellence, ACE Award and first Museum of Art & Design Award, MAD Awards, both accolades mark his welcome return to the Industry.

Later that year, Bittar conceives and releases his first ‘Bittarverse' skits, a trailblazing Marketing move by the Designer. Building on his historically arresting Ad Campaigns, Bittar fearlessly tackles diversity, inclusivity and ageism with humour in this creative new format.

The Bittarverse is an ongoing bitesized campaign with underlying narratives and cameo appearances, heroing its characters Theresa, Margeaux, Jules (and now Riley). Drawing on personal experiences, Bittar delivers these irreverent love letters to Bittar’s home city, New York, and the weird and wonderful people that inhabit it.

In 2024, the ongoing Bittarverse Campaign receives a Webby Award for 'Best Social Content', Susan Sarandon joins the ever-growing A-list cast of New York centric cameo appearances, which is reported in The New York Times.

Alexis Bittar collaborates with Prabal Gurung for his Spring Summer 24 New York Fashion Week Collecton.

At the 2024 Met Gala, Musician Tyla chooses to accessorize her Balmain Sand Dress with Bittar’s Solanales Collar.

Awards and honors

  • 2010 Council of Fashion Designers of America Accessory Designer of the Year
  • 2004 Rising Star of the Year by the Accessories Council of Excellence
  • 2014 Brand of the Year Accessories Council of Excellence
  • 2023 Accessories Council, ACE Brand Innovation Award

References

  1. ^ "Jobs at". theladders.com. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  2. ^ "The Washington Post, June 13, 2010 – Fashion's awards gala highlights industry's resilience in the face of recession, by Robin Givhan". June 13, 2010.
  3. "How Alexis Bittar Created an Accessories Empire". August 23, 2013.
  4. ^ "Alexis Bittar". Fashion Elite. June 10, 2017. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  5. Rao, Priya (December 15, 2011). "Alexis Bittar Shows Us His Jewelry". Huffington Post. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  6. "New York Social Diary, Alexis Bittar Feature". New York Social Diary. Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  7. ^ "New York Times, Feb 23, 2012 – The Evolution of a Jewelry Prince, by Tim Murphy". The New York Times. February 21, 2012.
  8. ^ "AlexisBittar.com – Biography". Archived from the original on January 29, 2013.
  9. Murphy, Tim (February 12, 2012). "Evolution of a Jewelry Prince". New York Times. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  10. Felder, Rachel (June 23, 2023). "After a Single Glance, an Unspoken Connection Blossomed". The New York Times. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  11. "Vogue Italy, July 2010 – Alexis Bittar, by Teresa Cannatà".
  12. Elle Magazine (September 9, 2010). "Alexis Bittar to Design for Jason Wu". Elle.com. Archived from the original on September 19, 2010. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
  13. "Tag: Alexis Bittar". Mrs-o.com.
  14. "Mert & Marcus in 24 Vogue Paris covers". Vogue France (in French). August 21, 2014. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  15. ELLE (February 3, 2010). "Joan Collins is the Face of Alexis Bittar's Spring 2010 Campaign". ELLE. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  16. Staff, Racked (February 2, 2011). "Alexis Bittar Taps Lauren Hutton as the Face of His Latest Campaign". Racked NY. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  17. "Ad-solutely Fabulous". British Vogue. January 27, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  18. "The Alexis Bittar Spring 2015 Campaign Is Awesome". HuffPost. January 9, 2015. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  19. "Zoe Kravitz Wears Box Braids in Alexis Bittar Ad". Fashion Gone Rogue. June 11, 2015. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  20. "Alexis Bittar Enters into Partnership with TSG - TSG Consumer Partners, LLC". Archived from the original on September 17, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
  21. US, FashionNetwork com. "Brooks Brothers Group acquires Alexis Bittar jewelry brand". FashionNetwork.com. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  22. Stevenson, Seth (October 6, 2020). "Why COVID Was the Final Straw for Brooks Brothers". Slate Magazine. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  23. "Alexis Bittar's Plans to Rebuild His Brand". The Business of Fashion. August 25, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  24. "Scott Pask". Playbill. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  25. ""I'm Done With The Seat At The Table. Let's Just Dismantle The Whole Table": Iman On The Need To Reset Fashion's Agenda". British Vogue. December 14, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  26. "CFDA Website – 2010 CFDA Fashion Awards". June 8, 2010. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  27. "The Wall Street Journal, Jan 30, 2012 – Alexis Bittar Enters Partnership".
  28. "Accessories Council". accessoriescouncil.org. Retrieved August 16, 2023.

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