Bulgari, the jeweler like stars
March 8th, 2011
In 127 years, the small silver lab founded in Rome by the Greek Sotirios Bulgari has managed to grow and diversify to become the third world jeweler and one of the brands most popular with celebrities and royalty around the world . Queens, princesses and Hollywood stars … Claudia Cardinale in Sofia Loren through Ingrid Bergman, Romy Schneider and more recently, Tina Turner, Keyra Knightley English actress, there is not one who has worn at least once in his life, an ornament the Italian house.
The jeweler-watchmaker, which exceeded one billion euros in turnover in 2010, this segment also fragrances and accessories, is the third largest behind Cartier and Tiffany. He was born in 1884 at the instigation of Sotirios Bulgari, scion of a Greek family that specializes in the manufacture of silver objects. Just landed in Italy, this artisan opens a boutique in Rome and specializes in creating jewelry.
Jewelry, watches, perfumes, luxury hotels …
In 1905, he transferred to the prestigious via Condotti, which became the address of the brand. Adept at mixing business and sophisticated designs, the jewelry is gaining notoriety. But it is a marriage of American actors Richard Burton and Liz Taylor, who wears a diamond pin topped by a 18-carat emerald, the Bulgari creations are becoming increasingly sought after by high society. From the 1970s, the brand goes global by opening boutiques in New York, Paris, Geneva and Monte Carlo. And diversified with the creation of Bulgari watches.
In 1993, she launched the fragrance, the first step towards a diversification strategy, which will push the jeweler to expand its portfolio of new types of products – sunglasses, bags and ties – and to open Bulgari stores devoted entirely to accessories. Also in this perspective, the company started in the hotel in 2001 from an agreement with Luxury Group, a division of the luxury hotels of Marriott International, to create the joint venture Bulgari Hotels & Resorts. The first Bulgari luxury hotel was opened in Milan in 2004, followed in 2006 by a second in Bali. In 1995, the company has acquired over the years some six companies specializing in jewelry and watches, especially in high-end landed at the Milan Stock Exchange in 1995. Today, the group recently acquired by LVMH has 293 outlets, including 173 directly managed.