Alexis Bittar
Encyclopedia
Alexis Bittar is an American jewelry designer and recipient of the 2010 CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) Accessory Designer of the Year award.
At age ten, Bittar began selling flowers from a hand-painted cart near his home in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn. He continued his entrepreneurial career throughout his teen years, selling antique jewelry and vintage clothing on the streets. While in high school at The Bronx School of Science, he discovered the New York club scene, where he developed an interest in fashion and design.
Bittar attended college in upstate New York for one semester before he dropped out and moved back to New York City.
In 1992, Dawn Mello, the fashion director of Bergdorf-Goodman discovered Bittar’s work. A year later, began a relationship with Saks Fifth Avenue. In the following years, Bittar began to sell his collection in stores across the United States, as well as Harrod’s in London and Isetan in Japan.
In 1996, Bittar designs a collection of Lucite and steel furniture for The Cooper Hewitt Museum. The same year, Bittar designed a limited edition set of home wares for Barneys New York and Takashimaya.
In 1999 Bittar designed Burberry’s first Ready-to-Wear jewelry collection using their trademark plaid on Lucite.
Bittar opened his first brick-and-mortar boutique in New York City in 2004. The same year, his designs were featured in a worldwide Estee Lauder campaign.
In 2007 and 2009, Bittar collaborated with fashion designer Michael Kors
on exclusive runway collections and is asked by The Victoria and Albert Museum in London to create a design for an exhibition celebrating the re-opening of their jewelry wing.
Bittar opened his second store in New York in 2008. His designs continued to garner editorial attention and were featured on the covers of Italian Vogue, French Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar UK, and Time Magazine.
In 2010, Bittar opened his third boutique on Madison Avenue. Actress Joan Collins
was named the face of his 2010 national ad campaign. Bittar collaborated with designer Jason Wu
for Wu's 2010 Fashion Week runway show.
of Excellence. In 2005, Bittar was invited by the Council of Fashion Designers of America
to join their committee. In 2010, Bittar was nominated for the CFDA "Accessories Designer of the Year Award" alongside Marc Jacobs
and Proenza Schouler
. Bittar was presented the award by actress Dakota Fanning during the June 2010 ceremony.
Two new boutiques in Los Angeles are slated to open in fall 2010 with San Francisco and Chicago to follow.
Bittar’s jewelry is handmade by artisans in Brooklyn, NY.
Personal life
Bittar was born in Brooklyn, NY 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. He continued his entrepreneurial career throughout his teen years, selling antique jewelry and vintage clothing on the streets. While in high school at The Bronx School of Science, he discovered the New York club scene, where he developed an interest in fashion and design.
Bittar attended college in upstate New York for one semester before he dropped out and moved back to New York City.
Career
Inspired by his upbringing surrounded by antique jewelry, Bittar began to design his own line of jewelry in 1988. Using Lucite and semi-precious stones and metals, Bittar created two different collections and began selling his handmade pieces on the streets of Soho.In 1992, Dawn Mello, the fashion director of Bergdorf-Goodman discovered Bittar’s work. A year later, began a relationship with Saks Fifth Avenue. In the following years, Bittar began to sell his collection in stores across the United States, as well as Harrod’s in London and Isetan in Japan.
In 1996, Bittar designs a collection of Lucite and steel furniture for The Cooper Hewitt Museum. The same year, Bittar designed a limited edition set of home wares for Barneys New York and Takashimaya.
In 1999 Bittar designed Burberry’s first Ready-to-Wear jewelry collection using their trademark plaid on Lucite.
Bittar opened his first brick-and-mortar boutique in New York City in 2004. The same year, his designs were featured in a worldwide Estee Lauder campaign.
In 2007 and 2009, Bittar collaborated with fashion designer Michael Kors
Michael Kors
Michael Kors is an American fashion designer. He is best known for designing classic American sportswear for women.-Personal life:...
on exclusive runway collections and is asked by The Victoria and Albert Museum in London to create a design for an exhibition celebrating the re-opening of their jewelry wing.
Bittar opened his second store in New York in 2008. His designs continued to garner editorial attention and were featured on the covers of Italian Vogue, French Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar UK, and Time Magazine.
In 2010, Bittar opened his third boutique on Madison Avenue. Actress Joan Collins
Joan Collins
Joan Henrietta Collins, OBE , is an English actress, author, and columnist. Born in Paddington and raised in Maida Vale, Collins grew up during the Second World War. At the age of nine, she made her stage debut in A Doll's House and after attending school, she was classically trained as an actress...
was named the face of his 2010 national ad campaign. Bittar collaborated with designer Jason Wu
Jason Wu
Jason Wu is a Manhattan-based Taiwanese American fashion designer.-Biography:Born in Taiwan, Wu moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada at age nine and attended Eaglebrook School in Deerfield, Massachusetts and Loomis Chaffee, in Windsor ,Connecticut. He learned how to sew by designing and...
for Wu's 2010 Fashion Week runway show.
Awards & Honors
In 2004, Bittar was named Rising Star of the Year by the Accessories CouncilAccessories Council
The Accessories Council is a not-for-profit, national trade association that was established in 1994 with the mission of increasing consumer use and awareness of accessories. As of 2005, Karen Giberson is the group’s president...
of Excellence. In 2005, Bittar was invited by the Council of Fashion Designers of America
Council of Fashion Designers of America
The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. is a not-for-profit trade association of over 350 of America’s foremost fashion and accessory designers. As of 2009, Diane von Fürstenberg is the group's President and Steven Kolb is the Executive Director...
to join their committee. In 2010, Bittar was nominated for the CFDA "Accessories Designer of the Year Award" alongside Marc Jacobs
Marc Jacobs
Marc Jacobs is an American fashion designer. He is the head designer for Marc Jacobs, as well as Marc by Marc Jacobs, a diffusion line, with more than 200 retail stores in 60 countries. He has been the creative director of the French design house Louis Vuitton since 1997...
and Proenza Schouler
Proenza Schouler
Proenza Schouler is a New York based womenswear and accessories brand founded in 2002 by designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez. The duo met while studying at Parsons School of Design, collaborating on their senior thesis, which would eventually become their first collection as Proenza...
. Bittar was presented the award by actress Dakota Fanning during the June 2010 ceremony.
Two new boutiques in Los Angeles are slated to open in fall 2010 with San Francisco and Chicago to follow.
Bittar’s jewelry is handmade by artisans in Brooklyn, NY.