Alexis for Alexis

Vixen of note Joan Collins is the face of Alexis Bittar’s A/W10 jewellery campaign, which finds the former Dynasty star stacked in pieces inspired by the trends she set forth over a decade ago as the indomitable Alexis Carrington. Bittar’s iconic Lucite creations have found him working on exclusive runway collections for Burberry and Michael Kors, and recently awarded him an induction into the CFDA. We had a conversation with the two about working together, the state of glamour and designing for the modern woman.

How did you first hear about each other?
Joan: I didn't hear about him, I saw him in Saks Fifth Avenue in New York. I was passing the vitrine and I saw all these pieces and the name Alexis Bittar. I first looked at it because my character’s name was the same as his.
Alexis: I heard about Joan, obviously, from Dynasty. I grew up in Brooklyn, a super-blue-collar cops and firemen neighbourhood, so growing up no one knew the name Alexis. When Alexis Carrington came out, I was then forever defending the name for a guy.
J: Did you know the name Alexis was among the ten most popular names in the late 80s?
A: I believe it! Joan’s changed the name Alexis forever. I think as the years were coming, I was looking for people that I thought would represent fashion now. When I heard that Joan was a fan, I thought, “what a great idea to have her be the face of the campaign.”

How do the new pieces fit into the rest of your jewellery collection?
J: I think the days of wearing real jewellery, covering yourself in diamonds and rubies and sapphires and emeralds – I think those days are gone. I think it’s very passé to do that in this recession that we're all living in. That’s why Alexis’s jewellery just seems to me so perfect for the times.

Would you say that it’s made for her?
A: The character of Alexis, and also of Joan Collins, I feel is a huge part of our demographic that we sell to but also pay homage to. When I go to Neiman Marcus or Harrods and do a personal appearance, a percentage of the demographic is people similar to Joan in a way. They have a bit of flair and there’s an excitement and attitude.

Being someone who’s often referred to as a glamour icon, what is your perspective on the subject?
J: I don’t think there’s much of it around today. I think glamour is a certain amount of illusion, there’s a certain amount of work involved; you don’t just wake up in the morning looking glamorous, I’m sure even Marlene Dietrich didn’t! I think it has to do with feeling good about yourself and wanting to show the world that you have a certain je ne sais quoi, charisma, glamour.
A: Actually, there was an interesting article in the New York Times about Greta Garbo and how today’s celebrities wear everything on the outside, they’re wanting the exposure of every part of their life, [while] stars like Dietrich and Garbo left some mystery.

What was it like working together?
J: It was fantastic. We just had huge fun piling on bracelets and rings and necklaces and earrings. It worked for me; somehow I’ve got the kind of face that when you put a lot of hair and lot of jewellery on, it works. I’m not blowing my own trumpet dear, but I do know that I can get away with a lot.
A: I felt that it was important to pay respect to her in terms of what was going on in fashion, and I felt like that hadn’t actually happened to the extent that was due and still is due. I feel like in overall trend and direction, Joan represented and affected and helped direct a slew of trends that we’re seeing now, and that was why it was important for me to work with her.

What’s your definition of luxury?
J: A private plane! I’m not really into great big boats; we were on a huge boat in St Tropez last night – I won't tell you whose it was – but it was 260 feet and had a heliport and all those things. I would love, love, love a private plane, as long as somebody else would pay for the fuel…

Text by Paul Wagenblast