A Bulgari retrospective titled “Between History and Eternity: 1884-2009” opened on May 20th at Rome’s Palazzo Delle Esposizioni, in celebration of Bulgari’s 125th anniversary. The exhibition will feature some 500 items – including seven new “high jewelry” pieces and a number of historic pieces – all of which have been curated by Amanda Triossi. There will also be an entire room with pieces worn by Elizabeth Taylor.
Bulgari, which started as a small silverware store in 1884 in Rome (opened by Sotirios Boulgaris who later changed his name to Sotirio Bulgari), is now a $2.4 billion empire with 270 stores worldwide (this biggest one was opened in November 2007 in Tokyo), and 4,000 employees. The company also has a prominent online presence with an e-commerce site that features some 800 items including watches, jewelry, leather goods, accessories, and gift items priced from around $200 to $38,000.
Burberry’s creative director, Christopher Bailey, who designed the American headquarter noted that he and his team are very excited about the new Madison Avenue digs, adding that it is “such an iconic building which we feel is the perfect new home for Burberry in America. This will be another huge chapter in our rich history. The aesthetic mirrors our new global headquarters in London and really emphasizes to our American consumer the modern expression of the brand.”
