140 years Bulgari: the essential Italian brand

Created in 1884 in Rome by the Greek goldsmith Sotirio Bulgari, The Italian brand is today one of the essentials in the field of jewelry. The family Bulgari stands out thanks to its original style which is reflected in its magnificent jewelry creations, which demonstrate remarkable know-how.

This year the brand celebrates its 140th anniversary by organizing a fashion show in Rome to present the “AETERNA” High Jewelry collection. Several celebrities were invited to the event and of course the brand ambassadors: Anne Hathaway, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Liu Yifei, Shu Qi, Hikari Mori and Alessandro Gassman.

The brand's anniversary is also an opportunity to look back at the history of the very famous house Bulgari and its flagship collections.

History and evolution of Bulgari over time

Sotirio Bulgari first attracted English tourists to Rome with its ornaments in silver forged, thereby contributing to the brand's reputation. Subsequently, Giorgio and Constantino Bulgari, The two sons of the brand's founder decided to focus on fine jewelry thanks to their expertise in goldsmithing. The house's creations Bulgari, in the 1920s, were heavily influenced by the French school, combining diamonds and platinum to reasons Art Deco.

It was not until the mid-1940s that an Italian style appeared, more focused on yellow gold works and the undulations of the models. Serpenti. 
In the early 1950s, Bulgari launches combinations of colored gemstones. The cabochon in particular becomes a key symbol. In addition, the boutique on Via Condotti strengthens the international reputation of the Italian brand by becoming a meeting place for celebrities and high society. In the 1970s, Bulgari expands in Europe and the United States. The influences of the Italian house diversify, from the Far East to Pop Art. The BVLGARI BVLGARI watch is born at the same time and will become an emblematic creation.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Bulgari innovates by offering versatile jewelry that can be worn at any time of the day. Bulgari increasingly uses diverse materials such as steel, porcelain, silk and wood, which contributes to the creation of refined pieces that we love to wear. 

Today, Bulgari continues to reinvent itself by playing with the codes of jewelry and watchmaking. The brand's recent collections demonstrate its desire to preserve its Roman heritage while continuing to innovate to seduce a new generation of customers passionate about luxury.
 

The iconic collections of Bulgari

  1.   Serpenti

  2. B. zero1

There B. zero1 collection was born in 1999. From the very beginning, it embodied the boldness and innovative side of the house Bulgari. Greatly inspired by the Colosseum in Rome, B.zero 1 jewelry is known for their tubular structure. They use materials such as gold, ceramic or even steel, revolutionizing traditional jewelry by adding contemporary elements.  

  3. Divas' Dream

The Divas' Dream collection draws its inspiration from the beauty of Roman mosaics and the grace of Italian divas. Thus, this collection is in some way a tribute to femininity. Each piece of jewelry in the collection aims to celebrate charm and elegance. The pieces in the Divas' Dream collection are distinguished by their delicate shapes and fan-shaped patterns, often adorned with precious stones such as sapphires, emeralds or diamonds. 

 4.   Parentesi

Created in the 1980s, the collection Parentesi is inspired by Roman architecture and the cobblestone patterns of the streets of Rome. Parentesi is a versatile collection that adapts to both special occasions and everyday life. It stands out for its interlocking elements in the shape of parentheses, a symbol of union, and its varied materials such as steel, precious stones or gold.

   5.   Monete

Finally, the collection Monete finds its originality in its use of antique coins directly integrated into modern jewelry. Each piece of jewelry carries a story within it. This collection thus reflects the passion of Bulgari for ancient art and more generally history. He wanted to transform historical artifacts into real contemporary jewels.

Find more jewelry Bulgari on our site 58 Facettes.