I’m not a diehard Britney Spears fan but I do love a comeback story…you got to give it to her..she went off the deep end and is coming back swinging,..I worked with a friend /stylist Mel Ottenberg designing Rihannas and Britney’s performance at the Billboard awards. Here is a shot of Britney wearing a mask I made for her to emphasize her naughty side.

Last Saturday I was biking around Brooklyn in Sunset Park and stumbled upon a small Mexican parade.

I know it looks like I’m obsessed with costumes but… well, I am.

I love biking because it gives me a chance to ride through the city I love and grew up in. I tend to love the outside boroughs more than Manhattan because what really excites me is the mix of cultures.

Next to a bike shop in Brooklyn was this Buddhist temple in a store front (above).

A table of offerings.

A service being held.

Edwin Pabon, Sam Shaw, Alexis, Joan, Pascale Cohen, Jeff Chastain, Percy Gibson

Last week I had dinner with Joan Collins and her husband Percy, you know, just catching up on old times.

Since the shoot we did with her, my affection for her has continued to grow. She’s a powerful example of an endless amount of wanting to explore and live. She had a one woman show last fall and is doing it again this fall.

She’s 80 years old and her hubby (far right in the photo above) is 45. NOT judging- right on sister!

Me, Joan and my good friend Edwin

I feel that Alexander McQueen is really one of the few independent geniuses of fashion in the last 100 years. It’s amazing to see his body of work under one roof. (Savage Beauty Exhibit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art now thru July 31st.)

On show are elaborate to minimalist pieces all of which have had a dramatic  effect and influence on today’s fashion. McQueen unabashedly put aside the need for saleability for artistic vision and he will always be remembered for that.

There are contradictions in his work, malevolent to misogynistic combined with a real love for women, putting them on a pedestal in a fantastical way. This is definitely an exhibit to see, it makes you want to design.

The Savage Beauty Exhibit has broken records at The Met with the amount of people coming to see it. Hopefully it will influence young designers in America to take risks, it’s something that we need.

Here are a few photos from the exhibit:

I recently went to the Met Ball which was a tribute to Alexander McQueen and his body of work. My date was the incomparable Lauren Hutton. She was the perfect person to go with, she knows everyone from Mick Jagger to Yoko Ono to a young model like Chanel Iman. Lauren maintains a very down to earth persona even though she’s lived a very full life which makes her fun to be around.

Lauren looking stunning on the red carpet, me getting caught mid blink.

The event was star studded and probably packed with more celebrities in art, fashion, music and movies per square meter than any other event.

Aside from the dresses, the real highlight of the night was the McQueen Exhibit (but more on that in the next post). The evening ended with Florence + The Machine performing with an overwhelmingly abundance of confidence. She was strutting up to everyone and owning the night. It was the perfect combo because she and McQueen are both REAL talents, not just pretty faces.

Here are few photos of me on the way there:

ALEXIS BITTAR- Past and Present from Alexis Bittar on Vimeo.

Alexis talks about how it all began, winning the CFDA Award and his Spring/Summer 2011 Collections.

Check out more at www.alexisbittar.com!

I have to give a moment of respect to my Mom…

My Mom is amazing, thoughtful, a power of example, Irish-Catholic, bright, sharp wit, independent, loving and of course, a complicated woman.

She married my Dad in her early 20′s and had 2 children while simultaneously getting her Doctorate at NYU in American History. Her thesis was specific to women in American history and the impact they made. She was progressive for the late 1960′s and has a keen mind.

She’s been married to my Dad for 48 years.

My Mom started to get genetic Rheumatoid Arthritis throughout her body in her early 30′s which changed the direction of her life. It’s been 30 years since she was first diagnosed and during it she has shown and reminded me truly what is important about life.

She always will tell me that it’s not my success that she’s proud of but the fact that I’ve stayed ethically the same and do not get sucked into the superficial pitfalls. She has shown me what grace is truly about.

I owe my life to her and the fiber of who I am today.

Thanks Mom.