Vivian Alexander Purse Going to Cannes

Online, May 17, 2010 (Newswire.com) - True, Alex Caldwell won't be ducking the paparazzi anytime soon.

Chances are he'll never have to worry about that problem.

As for his Faberge-like egg purses, well, that's another matter. They may be going Hollywood after today.

Not that Caldwell's work hasn't landed a major part in a previous blockbuster film, it has. Warner Brothers asked him to recreate the Faberge Coronation egg for the movie Ocean's Twelve. The egg stood center stage onscreen as George Clooney's celebrity-filled band of thieves battled a rival in an attempt to steal the Faberge.

Which was really a Vivian Alexander. That's the name of the company Caldwell formed with his life partner Vivian Tullos to create the artwork. It's a combination of both their names.

And Caldwell has been creating the eggs from his farm in Maurice for 30 years.

But today, May 16, a delegation from the Acadiana area is presenting a Vivian Alexander purse to the mayor of the neighboring town to Cannes, France. The town serves as headquarters to the Cannes International Film Festival, which currently is under way.

"And the delegation went there to promote southwest Louisiana in films," Caldwell said. "They wanted to show that southwest Louisiana has more to offer than scenery and alligators."

That's not disparaging scenery and alligators. It's just saying lots of other things can be found in the region, including beautiful artwork.

Louisiana is, after all, one of the country's top-rated film locations at the moment.

The Vivian Alexander collection includes jewelry boxes, art objects, holiday ornaments and, of course, egg purses. The purses are probably the most popular pieces of all.

They were designed using real eggs until December 2009, when Caldwell retired the method. He's also been designing egg purses from pure silver for a number of years, which is the only method he now uses, though he will create an actual egg purse on request.

Caldwell creates his own themes and is assisted by two artisans. Daughter Liza also works with Caldwell. His other daughter, Rush, also worked with him at one time. Son Jim lives in Nashville.

All of this culminates into an interesting resume for a guy whose college degree is in civil engineering. Caldwell is originally from Baton Rouge, where his mom, Pat Caldwell, was an artist. He earned his degree from LSU in 1954 and worked as a highway contractor for the state.

And now he's creating works of art for people worldwide. He's even used his art to embellish several 19th century ostrich egg pieces Cutrer has discovered and submitted to Caldwell along the way, including a pelican, a frog and a peacock.

Now Hollywood possibly will be taking a closer look at Caldwell's work. That is, if the Acadiana delegation has its way.

The mayor at the Cannes headquarters certainly is in for a great surprise today. Caldwell designed the purse especially for the Acadiana delegation to present to her.

The group will give it to her in the presence of the movie producers and directors.

And if all goes as planned, Vivian Alexander will go Hollywood.