It was in Rome in 1884 that the Greek silversmith Sotirios Bulgari (Voulgaris) opened a single jewellery store, S. Bulgari Old Curiosity Shop in Via Sistina.
Over a century later, now amongst the most luxurious Italian goods designers, Bulgari hasn’t forgotten its Greek heritage, with its latest MVSA Collection of fine jewellery drawing on its Greek roots for inspiration.
Comprised of 26 one-of-a-kind pieces, including rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings, the line is inspired by the nine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne who, according to ancient Greek legend, became the muses of all art forms.
Nine of the pieces, each representing one of the nine Muses – Calliope, Clio, Euterpe, Thalia, Melpomene, Terpsichore, Erato, Polyhymnia and Urania – bring together emeralds, amethysts, tourmalines, rubies, spinels and diamonds from all over the world in eye-catching designs destined for the red carpet.
Bulgari chose former French First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy for the specific ad campaign that features the high jewellery with a backdrop of Rome where the brand was founded 130 years ago by a Greek immigrant.
The name of the collection MVSA is a play on Bulgari’s use of the Roman V instead of the U and is pronounced ‘moo-sa’, the Greek word for muse.
