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S
ince 1884, the House of Bulgari has thrilled the
beau monde with its style and elegance. This
year, as the Italian brand celebrates its 130th
anniversary, it embarks on a series of projects
that recount its rich past with a visionary eye
to the future.
"Celebrating 130 years of Bulgari is especially mean-
ingful in Chicago," says Avery Martin, store manager of
the Bulgari boutique on the Mag Mile, "because of the
city's inherent link to design and art. Bulgari is the perfect
emblem of the marriage of both."
As a part of its anniversary celebration, I recently
had the privilege of joining Bulgari in Rome on behalf
of Michigan Avenue. Among the activities of the multiday
gala event in the Eternal City: the unveiling of the newly
refurbished f lagship boutique, the announcement of
its cultural support of the city of Rome, and—the pièce
de résistance—a tour of the brand's gemstone room and
craftsmanship laboratory.
Bulgari is one of the largest purchasers of top-quality
colored gemstones in the world. At any given time, the
company's workshops have thousands of jewels on the
premises as it designs statement pieces and collections.
In a single well-lit room, with walls lined in sketches and
colorful concepts for necklaces, brooches, bracelets, ear-
rings, and rings, was a table brimming with rubies,
emeralds, sapphires, amethysts, citrines, and other gems.
Seeing that—even for someone who has reported on jew-
elry for decades—made me feel like the proverbial kid in
a candy store.
"Bulgari is known for its use of big stones and for com-
bining colors," says Lucia Silvestri, Bulgari's creative
director. "When most houses were creating single-color
gemstone necklaces and brooches, we were mixing gems
and colors for artful presentations that left people breath-
less. It is very important for us to bring together rare stones
with semiprecious stones of all colors for dramatic appeal.
That is our signature."
FROM LEFT: The Parentesi
cocktail ring ($9,450) is
crafted in 18k white gold
with amethyst and pavé
diamonds; the Serpenti
Ultimate Temptation
necklace (price on
request) draws its
inspiration from the
sinuous form of
the snake.
LUXE
ITALIAN
STYLE
Over its 130-year history, Bulgari has dazzled and delighted
global tastemakers and Hollywood's biggest names with its
heritage and haute creations.
By Roberta Naas
