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. [1]
In 2010, Bittar won the CFDA Accessory Designer of the Year award. [2] In November 2014, he received the Brand of the year from The Accessories Council. [3]
Bittar was born in 1968 in Brooklyn, New York City to Bob and Helen Bittar, both university professors and antique collectors. [1] [4]
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. [5] 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. [6] Bittar discovered the New York club scene while attending the Bronx High School of Science, which fueled his interest in fashion and design. [7]
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. [8] Bittar closed the door on drugs and alcohol and got sober by the time he was 22. [9] 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. [8] [7]
Bittar has three children.
Bittar married Jack Miner in June 2023. [10]
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. [4]
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. [8] [7] [4]
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. [4]
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. [8] Subsequent collaborations include legendary stylist and costume designer Patricia Field for Sex and the City, the Cooper-Hewitt Museum, Estee Lauder, [11] Michael Kors, Jason Wu, [12] Jeremy Scott, Mugler and Phillip Lim. [8]
In 1999, he designed the first Burberry´s first Ready-to-Wear jewelry collection. [4]
Michelle Obama regularly chose to wear Alexis Bittar pieces. [13] 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.[ citation needed ]
In 2004, Bittar opened his first boutique on Broome St. and went on to open a total of 15 stores in the US. [8]
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. [14]
In 2010, Bittar featured Joan Collins as the face of his Spring campaign. [15] 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. [16]
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'. [17]
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. [18]
In fall 2015, Zoe Kravitz fronts Bittar. The ad showcases Kravitz's style. [19]
In 2010, Bittar entered into partnership with Private Equity company TSG Consumer Partners [20] and in 2015, they sold to Carolee LLC, the jewelry arm of Brooks Brothers. [21]
After a five-year absence, Bittar reacquired the brand from Brooks Brothers after they filed for bankruptcy in fall of 2020. [22] Bittar is again full owner of his brand which relaunched in fall 2021 with expanded product categories including accessories and handbags. [23] 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. [24]
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 [25]
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 Jewelery & 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.
Thomas Carlyle Ford is an American fashion designer and filmmaker. He launched his eponymous brand in 2005, having previously been the creative director at Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent. Ford wrote and directed the films A Single Man (2009) and Nocturnal Animals (2016). From 2019 to 2022 he was chairman of the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
Robert Lee Morris is an American jewelry designer and sculptor, who attributes much of his inspiration to organic forms he admires in nature and to designing for an imaginary futuristic society. His designs have been made in gold, silver and bronze and he is known for his 24 carat matte gold plating and rich deep red copper and green patina. He has collaborated or designed collections for fashion designers Geoffrey Beene, Kansai Yamamoto, Calvin Klein, Anne Klein, Karl Lagerfeld, Michael Kors and Donna Karan. Morris was awarded the Coty Award (1981) and the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award by the CFDA Awards (2007).
Lauren Hutton is an American model and actress. Born and raised in the southern United States, Hutton relocated to New York City in her early adulthood to begin a modeling career. Though she was initially dismissed by agents for a signature gap in her teeth, Hutton signed a modeling contract with Revlon in 1973, which at the time was the biggest contract in the history of the modeling industry.
Carolina Herrera is a Venezuelan fashion designer known for her personal style, and for dressing various First Ladies of the United States, including Jacqueline Onassis, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, and Melania Trump.
Proenza Schouler is a womenswear and accessories brand founded in 2002 by designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez. Based in New York City, Proenza Schouler is derived from maiden names of the two designers' mothers: Proenza is the maiden name of Hernandez's mother, and Schouler is the maiden name of McCollough's mother.
The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. (CFDA), founded in 1962 by publicist Eleanor Lambert, and headquartered in Manhattan, is a not-for-profit trade association comprising a membership of over 450 American fashion and accessory designers. The organization promotes American designers in the global economy.
Jennifer Meyer is an American jewelry designer.
Phoebe Philo OBE is an English fashion designer. She was the creative director of fashion brands Céline from 2008 to 2017 and Chloé from 2001 to 2006. Her eponymous line launched in 2023.
John Brevard is an American designer, architect, developer, and investor. Brevard applies his background in architecture and multidisciplinary arts to create designs that are both visually appealing and conceptually meaningful. Inspired by the principles of sacred geometry, John Brevard's creations feature fractal patterns found in nature and organic and man-made materials, and are symbolic of the inseparable relationship of the part to the whole. His designs are expressed in different physical scales across many creative mediums, from jewelry to furniture, from sculpture to architecture.
Bibhu Mohapatra is a New York-based fashion designer and costume designer.
Rag & Bone is an American fashion label helmed by Marcus Wainwright, originally from England. The brand is sold in more than 700 shops around the world, as well as in Rag & Bone retail stores. Wainwright, who cofounded the brand with Nathan Bogle in 2002, stepped down as chief brand officer in July 2023. The brand's design oversight is now shared between Jennie McCormick and Kyle Sweeney.
Pamela Love is an American jewelry designer based in New York City.
Mimi So is a New York City-based American jewelry designer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and humanitarian known for a "distinctive and definitive fashion vibe" and a large celebrity clientele. Her company was founded as a partnership with luxury conglomerate Richemont, which subsequently sold its interest to Mimi So.
Timo Weiland is a fashion line for men and women designed by Tim Weiland, Donna Kang and Alan Eckstein. Based in the Garment District of New York City, Timo Weiland started as a neckwear collection and evolved into a full-range womenswear and menswear designer clothing line.
Jennifer Fisher is an American jewelry designer based in New York City. She designs jewelry for two of her own lines: the Fine Jewelry Collection and Brass Collection.
The Row is an American luxury fashion label established by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen in 2006. The Row produces ready-to-wear clothing, footwear, handbags and accessories. The label is based in New York City and is available in 37 countries.
Daniel Lee is an English fashion designer. He was the creative director of the Italian luxury fashion house Bottega Veneta from 2018 to 2021, subsequently being appointed as Riccardo Tisci's replacement as Chief Creative Officer at the helm of Burberry.
Beth Bugdaycay is a jewelry designer and entrepreneur living in New York City. In 2019, she was nominated for the CFDA Award for American Emerging Designer of the Year.
Jordan Askill is an Australian jewelry designer and sculptor.
The Accessories Council Excellence Awards, known as the ACE Awards, were created in 1996 by the Accessories Council to pay homage to individuals and groups who have helped raise awareness of the accessories industry. Their purpose is to celebrate those who have had a positive impact on accessory consumption during the prior year. Nominees are voted on by accessory-industry insiders, retailers, the Accessories Council Board of Directors and the fashion press. Winners are announced in advance of the annual event, which usually takes place at the beginning of November.