This Fall I collaborated with Jason Wu for his Fall 2011 Collection. As usual I am always inspired by Jason’s ability to have such tremendous focus.

The Collection was inspired by fusing Baroque with a bit of Goth. Here are some images of the show and the jewelry that was designed.

The above picture was taken right after the show, Jason and I with my dear friend Iris Apfel.

Beginning sketch of the necklace with the Baroque closure that the model is wearing above.

A close up of the necklace.

Baroque Bracelet on a model during the show.

First sketch of the bracelet.

The final product.

Jason’s signature owl we transformed into a pin.

I don’t have a T.V., but whenever I do road trips I’m like a kid with the clicker. I’ve recently realized how horrible T.V. has become. I think the movie “Network”, directed by Sidney Lumet, was genius for it’s exact premonition of where T.V. news would head.

One T.V. show practically stood out as INSANE! Contestants compete to win cosmetic surgery so they can have their “perfect wedding”. If they are cast off the show they are exiting with the host saying, “You will have a wedding, but it will not be perfect.”

How we, as a society, have come to this is amazing and disturbing. We should all voice our opinions on the impact this has on youth and self esteem.

Here’s a video with some great footage of the photoshoot with Lauren. Enjoy!
To find out more about the shoot, check out this blog post.

I’m REALLY excited to use Lauren Hutton for the face of Alexis Bittar for 2011. I’m also excited that I got to have my good friend Jack Pierson shoot the campaign. Both of them are iconic in their own fields.

Lauren is an iconic face of the 70′s, so natural and refreshing. Her face stood for a decade of fashion. We first met on the street when I was 19 on Prince out side of Jerry’s 103. Having that first experience with her when I was so young makes it even more exciting to have her represent the brand now.

Jack is a pioneer in photography and art. His art has been featured at the MOMA, Guggenheim and countless other museums all over the world. He’s from that 80′s school of Nan Golden and Cindy Sherman atheistic. His imagery has been knocked off for years.

In his photography, he’s great at capturing people’s natural personality with ease.

Jack and Lauren were the perfect combination and the results are amazing. The imagery of Lauren has a more masculine feeling, reminiscent of Marlene Dietrich in “Morocco”.

I just opened two new stores in the last month and half- One in San Francisco and one in Chicago. I’m excited to have a retail presence in both these cities.

Here are some pictures of both new stores. Starting with San Francisco (located at 1942 Fillmore St).

Our new Chicago store (located at 1710 North Damen Ave) opened on Jan 3rd. This is the seventh store in the Alexis Bittar Retail Empire!