Starr Miller Interior Design, Inc.

Fifty Favorite Designs - Day 2 - Alexis Bittar Lucite

I fell in love with Alexis Bittar's lucite jewelry in 2000 when I found his delicate earrings and had to buy them like they were candy.  I have many colors, but my favorites tend to be the white drops I wear probably more often than I should....

  

Two years later I was in New York for Christmas and shopping in Saks.  I found myself at the jewelry counter and was looking for more of my favorite Alexis Bittar designs when the sales person asked if I would like to meet him. Imagine my surprise  - up until that moment I had visions of Alexis as in Carrington or sexy young hip designer girl with smoky eyes.....not this good looking guy...(Yes, I always picture the designer whether I know what they look like or not.  Boy did I miss this one!)

Patricia Field of "Sex and the City" fame had recently placed his jewelry in the show and it was his time.  He was nice, helpful and working the stock to make sure that when the lighting struck he would capture it.  I like smart and hard working people.  He earned his good fortune!

 

Years later I am still smitten with his jewelry.  As you can see the lucite and embellishments have become more sophisticated and and I remain a fan!

 

Fifty Favorite Designs - Day 1 - The Cartier Tank

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since this series is a toast to my first 50 years I thought it appropriate that we start with a timepiece.  I have been in love with the Cartier Tank watch since my mother first bought one in the 1970's.  The sleek, clean line styling has remained a favorite for my entire life.  Little did I know at the time that this watch, originally released in 1919, was such an important design icon. 

HISTORY

"Technically, the Tank wasn’t the first documented wristwatch (that honor goes, in uncertain order, to the Swiss companies Patek Philippe and Girard-Perregaux). And it wasn’t even Cartier’s first wristwatch. That would be the Santos. Created in 1904 for Alberto Santos-Dumont, a wealthy flier and dandy, this watch was powerful, masculine, with screws spaced like rivets around the bezel. The Tank, however, was the first wristwatch to solve the problem that consumed Cartier: how to attach a face to a band with complete conceptual integrity. In fact, Cartier was alone in thinking that this was a problem." (excerpt from:  Ben Clymer is the Executive Editor of Hodinkee, a daily blog of the most interesting and unique watches in the world.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The inspiration of the watch band came from the Renault Tanks during WWI.

Tanks (usually) have blue, sword-shaped hands with silvered opaline guilloché dials. The winding crowns on Tanks, like those of most Cartier watches, have sapphire cabochons on them.

 
 
Many famous people have worn the Cartier tank:  Greta Garbo, Cary Grant, Warren Beatty, Harry Truman, Jackie Kennedy, Michelle Obama....

My favorite was Jane Cousar. She was a leap year baby so she would remain 21 this year.  As she is now old enough to drink we raise a glass to Jane and her style!  I still love clean lines and white shirts due to her!

Years ago when my mother passed away, she willed her Cartier Tank to a dear friend.  That Christmas my husband found it's twin and gave it to me for Christmas.  Everytime I look at it I think of my Mom who had great style and my sweet husband.  (Okay - so this outfit doesn't scream style - but I like the picture!)