Alexis Bittar

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. Th
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
Webby Award for 'Best Social Content
, Susan Sarandon joins the ever-growing A-list cast of New York centric cameo appearances, which i
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’
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

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bittar, Alexis
1968 births
Living people
American jewelry designers
People from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Designers from New York City
The Bronx High School of Science alumni
University at Albany, SUNY alumni