During my chat with Alexis Bittar back on a snowy February morning, he spoke enthusiastically about his first East Coast store outside Manhattan, the soon-to-be-opened boutique in Greenwich.
It was a lovely conversation with a jewelry designer whose work I have long admired – and it was the basis of a feature I wrote for our March “Give Me Shelter” issue.
Well, fast forward to April 18, when Bittar was in town for the grand opening of the store, which has carved out a lovely home for itself at 371 Greenwich Ave.
An airy space decorated with Art Deco-inspired lighting, delicate cherry blossom painted accents, super-comfy white leather chairs and lots of mirrors, it was the perfect backdrop for a spring gathering complete with flutes of Prosecco, canapés and, of course, Bittar himself.
Mallory Mason, the store manager, said the reception in town has been wonderful.
“People are loving him,” she said. “A lot of people know him.”
And that was clear from those in attendance. The lucky staffers, of course, were wonderfully decked out in Alexis Bittar designs – as they always are when you stop into one of his shops – but most everyone in attendance (including longtime Bittar fans and collectors) was also wearing their favorite pieces.
Jennifer Dolan, for example, was utterly chic in her gold collar necklace – pure drama.
When she first saw it, the reaction was immediate: “I just said, ‘I have to have this piece.’”
Nancy Lapiesha of Cos Cob, who was buying Bittar back when she lived in San Francisco, echoed that enthusiasm.
“I go back, yes,” she said, which was clear from what she was wearing – an array of pieces collected over the years.
She was, she added, “so happy” to hear of the Greenwich opening.
Bittar himself – who chatted with us about everything from his latest mention in Elle magazine to his recent invitation to The White House (Michelle Obama has often been spotted in her Bittar jewelry) – seemed well-pleased with this, his largest boutique to date.
“I feel like, it sounds corny but, I feel like the town of Greenwich has embraced us,” he said. “It’s amazing how many people know the brand.”
A gracious and charming host, Bittar spent the party meeting his customers and seemed to truly be enjoying his conversations – and his latest success.
And even Fred, the store mascot, got into the party spirit, as the life-size animal’s antlers were stacked with signature Alexis Bittar Lucite bangles.
We at WAG have to agree it was a fun event and a fitting “official” welcome for one of Greenwich’s most stylish new neighbors.
Alexis Bittar is at 371 Greenwich Ave. Call (203) 340-2599 or visit alexisbittar.com. And for more on the party and the party scene, check out WAG’s May “Heating Up” issue.
