With its elegant product proposals, Bvulgari has always been synonymous with unbridled luxury. An all-Italian tradition, albeit of Greek origin, which sees gold, silver and precious stones expertly worked to create elegant jewels, watches and accessories in leather, for men and women. The brand is also at the forefront of bags and small leather accessories, as well as in licensing for a chain of luxury hotels and resorts.
In 1884 a Greek silversmith named Sotirio Bulgari founded the Bulgari brand, opening the first store in Via Sistina in Rome. The brand, one of the more influential in the luxury sector with its jewellery products, perfumes and the hotel industry, takes its name from the founder and is usually written according to the letters of the classical Latin alphabet, with the "v" instead of "u", "BVLGARI".
The special silver creations of Mr. Bulgari were so appreciated by tourists, especially English who came to the city for the Grand Tour, to allow the opening of other boutiques in Via Condotti. To help the jeweller there are two sons, Giorgio and Costantino, who bring the small family business to become a Maison of high jewellery, leveraging their flourishing tradition.
The first creations are still inspired by the traditional French school and Art Deco, with the combination of platinum and diamonds in stylised geometries. From the 1940s onwards, Bvlgari's all-Italian style began to take shape thanks to the introduction of new elements, materials and symbols (such as the iconic Snake). The store in Rome and the brand itself becomes one of the favorite destinations of international celebrities, riding a wave of success that has helped to consolidate international fame.
But over the years the brand has always maintained its audacity, always offering color combinations between stones of various types and value, in the eighties instead depopulated the modularity and versatility of the new distinctive proposals, which adapted to both day and night, in different types of occasion. A boundless creativity that thanks to the use of unusual materials for the creation of jewellery and watches, such as steel, porcelain, silk and wood, reach new heights of refinement, imposing new frontiers of luxury.
In 1995 the company was listed on the stock exchange and in 2001 launched a real brand of luxury hotels, "Bulgari Hotels & Resorts" whose first quarters stands in Milan. In 2011, the brand joined the LVMH holding company, which increased its advertising investments and supported the opening of more stores around the world; in 2012, Bvlgari regained the rights to use the brand that had previously been sold.