FeatureBvlgari – The Brand Story

You will hardly come across a brand that can claim to be emboldened by a culture dating back 2700 years. Bulgari, an Italian brand inspired by the rich Roman history, honours its culture and heritage through modern design and products ranging from jewellery, fragrances, accessories to watches. Harmonised with Rome’s ancient history, Bulgari incorporates the city’s symbolism while innovating its design for the future. The brand’s history dates back to 1884 when Sotirio Bulgari, a Greek immigrant, opened his first shop in Via Sistina in Rome. In 1905, with the help of his two sons, Costantino and Giorgio, a second shop was inaugurated in Via Condotti. The silversmith grew in popularity thanks to his intricate work in precious stones and jewels and it was not long before the name Bulgari became world famous. read along to know Bvlgari – The Brand Story.

In 2014 Bulgari finished 130 years of excellence in luxury. From its origin at the Via dei Condotti flagship store to a diversified global presence today, Bulgari has managed to create a name for itself like no other luxury brand.

One understands the popularity of Bulgari from its vast fan following that includes the creme de la creme of society.With a fine collection of show-stopping jewellery and watches, the Italian brand proudly counts Elizabeth Taylor, Carla Bruni and Naomi Watts among its many fans.

“The only word Elizabeth knows in Italian is Bulgari.”

- Richard Burton

This mere statement makes you realise how diversified and extraordinary the popularity of the brand has been. Bulgari managed to reinterpret the mystic beauty of the Roman era through its iconic designs and use of rare stones. In order to honour its ancient Roman history, the brand integrated the Latin “V” epigraphy of its family name into the logo. The first time the logo was revealed to the world was in 1934 at the renovated Bulgari store in Italy.

During the 1940s, Bulgari introduced their first timepiece, the snake-watch, that was inspired by the Art Deco period of the 1920s. It was unique and extravagant, with bold coils of gem studded gold. Bulgari snake-watch quickly became an unmistakable attribute of jewel-watches. In the 1960s Bulgari’s clientele included Italian nobility, eminent political figures the likes of Evita Peron – The First Lady of Argentina, American businessmen including Nelson Rockefeller and Woolworth’s founder Samuel Henry Kress, and distinguished diplomats like the U.S. Ambassador to Italy – Clare Boothe Luce.

The Bulgari group developed an overseas presence circa 1970’s. From jewellers to watchmakers, the journey was definitely an unexpected one but the brand played its cards well and now is considered a leader in the watch industry. Their first iconic collection in the watch world was the “Bulgari Bulgari”, launched in 1977. The coveted watch was just the first of many, and in 1980 Bulgari founded the company Bulgari Time, in the watchmaking heart of Switzerland. Designed and nourished by the classical Roman roots, the “Bulgari Bulgari” collection features an iconic design inspired by the roman coin. Embellished with the finest gemstones of the world, the collection soon became a rage amongst the brand’s followers.

Below are a few iconic milestones that made Bulgari the name it is today.

Bulgari Roma

Bulgari Roma was one of the iconic watches introduced in 1977. This timepiece has the brand’s most distinctive design and an entirely original case geometry, that made it so famous. It remains as the most highly celebrated Bulgari model to date.

Bulgari Serpenti

Bulgari’s iconic style is expressed through the captivating contours of a distinguished creature, defined more than any other, by sensuality and elegance. The emblem of wisdom, life and eternity speaks a contemporary language with this exclusively designed Bulgari Serpanti.

Bulgari Lucea

Bulgari Lucea is a combination of the most highly-geometric designs with the natural curvature of the bracelet, intensified with a great variety of multicolored stones and diamonds.

Bulgari Octo

Bulgari Octo is a harmonious and balanced symbiosis of the two basic shapes giving rise to the octagon – embodying the geometry of perfection.

130 years of excellence is captured through this amazing video which talks about Bulgari being a perfectionist in both design and precision.