With a legacy spanning over a century, Bvlgari (Bulgari), founded in Rome in 1884 by Greek silversmith Sotirio Bulgari (Sotirios Voulgaris), has appointed Mary Katrantzou as their inaugural creative director for leather goods and accessories.
Katrantzou’s Greek heritage deeply influences her designs, making her a fitting choice for the role.
“I’ve been greatly influenced by Bulgari’s rich cultural heritage and its Greco-Roman roots,” Katrantzou remarked on her appointment.
“The brand’s design codes, colour mastery, and narrative depth have always inspired me.”
Bulgari initially gained renown for its silver jewels inspired by ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine art. Today, Bulgari remains a symbol of luxury and craftsmanship, blending its founder’s heritage with contemporary design influences.
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Katrantzou’s first collection as Bulgari’s creative director for leather goods and accessories is slated for a global launch in Bulgari boutiques in August 2024.
This collaboration isn’t the first between the London-based designer and the luxury jewellery House. Katrantzou previously collaborated with Bulgari in 2019 for her Spring Summer 2020 couture show.
The show, held at the 500BC Temple of Poseidon in Sounion, south of Athens, raised funds for the Elpida Association and featured Bulgari Heritage High Jewellery pieces, celebrating culture and craftsmanship.
In 2021, Katrantzou participated in Bulgari’s “Serpenti through the eyes of” series, reimagining the iconic Serpenti Forever bag collection with archival references to add new layers of narrative and symbolism.
A graduate of Central Saint Martins in London, Katrantzou founded her eponymous womenswear label in 2008, becoming a pioneering figure in fashion.
Her work has been acquired for the permanent collections of prestigious institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Sotirios Voulgaris, born in March 1857 in the Greek region of Epirus, was the visionary behind the high-fashion brand. He was one of eleven children of Georgios Voulgaris and Eleni Stronggaris.
In 1880, with only a few cents in his pocket, he moved to Italy in pursuit of a better future.
His talent and passion for working with precious metals and stones led him to open his own jewellery shop in 1884.