It’s the kind of success story that’s made in Manhattan—only it all began in Brooklyn. Over the past 20 years, jewellery designer Alexis Bittar has gone from being a street vendor in SoHo to a fixture on Michael Kors’ speed-dial. Bittar’s signature bright, bold Lucite designs have made him the candy man of the accessories world with a cult following of A-listers, including Cameron Diaz, Sarah Jessica Parker, Alicia Keys, Blake Lively, Rihanna and Madonna. But don’t think that this self-taught artist/ entrepreneur is moving on up to the Upper East Side. FASHION sat down with Bittar to find out how he stays true to his roots, what makes him feel creative and why costume jewellery is still living large.
Is costume jewellery booming now because people aren’t buying the real deal during shaky economic times? “Costume jewellery generally does better in struggling economies. It becomes part of the disposable income much in the way that makeup does.”
Statement accessories are still going strong. Why do you think women are coveting these large-and-in-charge pieces? “I think there’s an area of experimentation with jewellery, and if you’re wearing a big necklace or big earrings, you are going to feel empowered.”
You were born and raised in Brooklyn. Why did you decide to set up your office and design studio there as well? “I love Brooklyn. I live five minutes away, so it’s selfish in the sense that I can walk to work. I had my business in the city for years, but in terms of the energy level, it’s so much quieter here. When I want to take a walk, I want to be on the water, I don’t want to be at 47th and 7th.”
You’ve designed jewellery for Michael Kors. Any plans to collaborate with other designers? “I just did Betty Jackson in London, and we did the jewellery for the Barbie show for stylist Patti Wilson. But I’m not focusing on shows as much as I am stylists because it’s more spontaneous. We were just doing a shoot with Steven Meisel for Italian Vogue and he wanted to do a Gattaca story. He said, ‘What do you want to do?’ You can just go crazy.”
Are those specialty pieces available in your stores? “We’ll use those pieces or modify them for retail, like the shoot we did with Grace Coddington a few months ago. I did a big bow cuff and a shirt collar in metal that are in my fall collection now.”
You’re an artist by trade. Do you still dabble in your own artwork? “No, I think it’s totally maxed out, but I love antique art and I do get sucked into that.”
Who are your favourite artists? “I love Theodor Fahrner, he’s a really amazing art deco jewellery designer who has a beautiful sense of colour.”
Is that why you work primarily with Lucite, a material from days gone by? “It was somewhat of a fluke, quite honestly. I had used a few ideas from the past; one was Bakelite, which was plastic in the ’30s. I loved how it reflected the light.”
How do you define success? “To be able to design whatever you want and do that with a team. Then, have it be recognized and knocked off!”
First published in FASHION Magazine August 2009
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