Lucite International, owner of the LuciteLux acrylic brand, announced Alexis Bittar, the world-renowned jewelry designer famous for incorporating Lucite acrylic into his creations, joined the judges' panel for its Carry Me! design competition.
The competition, which runs through October 29, honors the 75th anniversary of the innovative design material and follows the release of Janice Berkson's new book, "Carry Me! 1950's Lucite Handbags: An American Fashion." The book chronicles the evolution of Lucite purses, from simple, clear designs to the inclusion of colored tints, faux jewels, pearls, stones and fabrics. The Carry Me! competition encourages professional designers as well as students based in the U.S. and Canada to submit their modern interpretation of vintage Lucite handbags.
"I've been inspired by the design possibilities of Lucite since I started making my own jewelry 20 years ago," said Bittar. "The Lucite handbags created in the 50s are masterpieces and I look forward to seeing concepts submitted by today's emerging designers."
Wildly imaginative designers shaped Lucite into rockets, torpedoes, bullets, guitars, beehives, flowers and more, making the handbags a 1950s celebrity must-have.
"The opportunity for a young designer to present his or her concepts to someone of Alexis' stature is truly exceptional," said Chris Robinson, Business Manager at Lucite International. "To say we are honored to include him on the Carry Me! competition judges' panel is an understatement."
Bittar is the fourth and final judge for the competition. He joins Simon Ellis, business director, Lucite International Inc.; Caryn Scheidt, vintage handbag collector; and Janice Berkson, author and owner of Deco Jewels in Manhattan's SoHo.
Lucite International plans to create prototypes of the winning designs and exhibit them alongside vintage pieces from private collections at a New York City venue, to be announced.
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