alexis

Alexis Bittar

Described as "one of the greatest jewelry designers of the 21st century", Alexis Bittar went from hawking his wares on the streets of New York, to selling his eponymous jewelry collections in more than 34 countries around the globe.

2013

More to come

Two more stores opening in February. One at 410 Columbus Ave in NYC and another in Greenwich, CT at 321 Greenwich Ave.

2012

ABFAB AD CAMPAIGN

Legendary comedic duo Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley star in Alexis’ latest ad campaign dressed as their infamous characters from the hit British show Absolutely Fabulous, Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone.

BITTAR FOR JEREMY SCOTT

Alexis collaborates with designer Jeremy Scott for his Fall/Winter 2012 runway show.

2011

COLLABORATION WITH JASON WU

Jason Wu and Alexis Bittar collaborate for the second time. Bittar’s exclusive collection of custom made jewels debut on the runway for Wu’s Fall/Winter 2011 show.

LAUREN HUTTON AD CAMPAIGN

Fashion icon Lauren Hutton poses as the new face of Alexis Bittar’s 2011/2012 ad campaign. Lauren is shot by famed artist and photographer Jack Pierson, and her face graces billboards all over New York City during Fashion Week in February 2011.

CHICAGO STORE OPENING

January 2011 – The designer heads to the Midwest, opening his latest retail location in Chicago, at 1710 North Damen Avenue in Wicker Park.

2010

JOAN COLLINS AD CAMPAIGN

Legendary 80’s icon Joan Collins appears as the face of Alexis Bittar's 2010 poster/ad campaign.

LADY GAGA WEARS BITTAR

Lady Gaga is photographed at the MOMA museum in New York City and again in Sweden, wearing custom made lucite masks that Bittar created upon special request for the influential performer and fashion icon.

WEST COAST BOUTIQUES

2010 marks the grand opening of Alexis’ first West Coast boutiques, the first one located at 8383 West 3rd Street in West Hollywood, CA, the second at 1612 Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice, CA.

COLLABORATION WITH JASON WU

Alexis Bittar collaborates with highly acclaimed ready–to–wear designer Jason Wu, custom making hand-crafted metal pieces for Wu's Spring/Summer 2011 and runway show.

ST. REGIS NEW YORK

The St. Regis New York, hosts a star–studded cocktail party and midnight supper to celebrate Alexis Bittar's exclusive jewelry collection, created in honor of the St. Regis founding patroness, Caroline Astor. The collection features a brooch, earrings, and a necklace showcasing Bittar's interpretation of the socialite's famed jewels

Bittar wins the CFDA's "Accessory Designer of the Year" award.

Bittar opens up shop in San Francisco, located at 1942 Filmore Street.

Alexis Bittar celebrates the grand opening of his third store, located in New York City's Upper East Side on Madison Avenue.

MICHELLE OBAMA WEARS BITTAR

Alexis Bittar becomes Michelle Obama’s newest fashion fixation. The First Lady is photographed across the globe, wearing Bittar’s brooches, earrings, and necklaces. Michelle wears the designer’s signature pieces while being interviewed for Barbara Walters’ Thanksgiving Day Special, on a presidential trip to India and at numerous White House events.

2008–9

STORE OPENING

Alexis opens his second retail store in New York City, located on Bleecker Street in the West Village.

COLLABORATIONS

For New York Fashion Week, Alexis Bittar collaborates with Michael Kors, Dennis Basso, and Michael Angel for their Spring 2010 ready-to-wear Collections.

FRENCH VOGUE

Bittar’s designs are featured on the cover of French Vogue, styled by fashion editor Carine Roitfeld.

Alexis’ designs appear on over 15 editorial covers in 2008 including Time Magazine, Italian Vogue, and Harper's Bazaar UK.

2007

Bittar collaborates with legendary fashion designer, Michael Kors, on an exclusive runway collection for Kors' Spring 2008 line.

The Victoria & Albert Museum in London re-opens their jewelry wing and asks Bittar to create an exclusive design for their "Cherry on the Cake" exhibition.

2004–5

The council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) invites Alexis Bittar to join them as a committee member.

In 2004, Alexis celebrates the grand opening of his first eponymous boutique, located on Broome Street in NYC; just 2 blocks from where he first began selling his wares over a decade before.

His designs are featured in the first of six worldwide Estée Lauder ad campaigns, styled by Lori Goldstein. Later that year, Bittar is named the "Rising Star of the Year" by the prestigious Accessories Council of Excellence (ACE).

2002

SEX AND THE CITY

Alexis collaborates with legendary stylist & costume designer Patricia Field, creating custom designs for the girls of HBO's Sex and the City. "Alexis is a true visionary" –Pat Field.

1998

Alexis designs Burberry’s first ready–to–wear jewelry collection, interpreting their signature plaid onto lucite.

1996–7

Bittar is asked to design an exclusive collection of lucite and stainless steel furniture for the Cooper–Hewitt Museum, as well as a highly acclaimed line of limited edition home décor pieces for Barneys New York and Takashimaya.

1994–5

International interest increases and Bittar begins to export overseas to Harrod's in London and Isetan in Japan.

Alexis embarks on a personally meaningful relationship with the Museum of Modern Art.

1993

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Bittar attends his first trade show, opening his link to a national market and sparks a long-standing relationship with Saks Fifth Avenue.

1992

BERGDORF GOODMAN

Despite the minimalist trend of the early 1990’s, Bittar’s bold and colorful designs begin to rapidly take flight. Bittar is soon discovered by Dawn Mello–Fashion Director of Bergdorf Goodman, who offers the budding designer his first steps into the world of retail.

1991

SOHO

Alexis relocates from St. Mark's Place to New York City's SoHo neighborhood, selling his one–of–a–kind wares on the corner of Prince and Greene Streets. "I was one of the very first street vendors there. It's a bit of a zoo now, but at the time there were only six of us." –AB

1990

At age 22, Alexis decides to put his scandalous clubbing days to rest in order to focus on designing his own line of costume jewelry, influenced by the antique collectibles he grew up around. He begins hand carving his lucite collection from within the confines of his one–bedroom apartment while simultaneously creating a second line, made from semi–precious stones and metals.

1987

RETURN TO NYC

Despite his rapidly dwindling attendance at school, Alexis graduates and enrolls for his freshman year of college in upstate New York. By the time his second semester begins, Alexis drops out and returns to the city to party hard, making his money selling antique jewelry & vintage clothing on the streets of lower Manhattan.

1983

While attending high school at the Bronx School of Science, Alexis soon gets a taste for the city life and subsequently discovers the NYC club scene. His interest rapidly turns to fashion and design when his attendance at seminal night clubs Danceteria and Area become more frequent than his classes at school. "It was this exciting mix of underground fashion, music, and pure exhibitionism and I wanted to be a part of it all." –AB

1982

On his 13th birthday, Alexis’ parents give their son an entangled lot of antique jewelry. Though a seemingly odd present for a 13 year old boy, the gift sparks a long–standing curiosity and fascination with the detailed hand–craftsmanship that went into the creation of each piece. He decides to sell the jewelry on St. Mark’s Place in NYC.

1978

At age 10, Alexis sets out on his first entrepreneurial venture–selling flowers from a hand–painted cart, stationed across the street from his family's Bay Ridge home. "It was my parents’ idea, they wanted my brother and I to learn the value of hard work mixed with creativity at such a young age." –AB

1968

Born August 25th in Brooklyn, New York to proud parents Helen and Bob Bittar who both work as University professors and dedicated antique collectors.