By PEAKLIFE
In a dazzling celebration befitting its storied legacy, Bvlgari unveiled its most extraordinary high-end collection, Aeterna, marking its 140th anniversary. Paying homage to their heritage, the grand event took place in Rome, the birthplace and perennial muse of the Italian luxury brand.
The evening hosted at the ancient architectural marvel, Terme di Diocleziano, one of the largest baths of ancient Rome, provided an unparalleled backdrop for Bvlgari to unveil their collection and also host a gala dinner and a show styled by Carine Roitfeld. The Aeterna collection features over 500 ultra-luxurious pieces, including high jewellery, watches, bags, and fragrances. Brand ambassadors and international stars attended the show, including Anne Hathaway, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Liu Yifei, Shu Qi, Hikari Mori, and Alessandro Gassman.
A Masterpiece of High Jewellery: The Serpenti Aeterna Necklace
The highlight of the celebration was the Serpenti Aeterna necklace, worn by Priyanka Chopra Jonas. According to the jewellery house, it is the most precious high jewellery piece ever crafted by Bvlgari. The masterpiece features seven D flawless diamond drops totaling 140.00 carats—one for each year of the brand’s history—and 698 baguette diamonds weighing 61.81 carats. This breathtaking creation required over 2,800 hours of meticulous craftsmanship, embodying Bvlgari’s values of creativity, expertise, and audacity.
A Showcase of Talent and Artistry
The evening unfolded with a jewellery show in the Chiostro Ludovisi, an intimate space built over the Terme’s large outdoor pool. Styled by the legendary stylist Carine Roitfeld, the show featured an iconic cast, including Mariacarla Boscono, Blesnya Minher, Elisabetta Dessy, Isabella Rossellini, Carla Bruni, and Giacomo Cavalli. Prior to the show, guests were captivated by a poetic duet between choreographer and dancer Sadeck Berrabah and ballet dancer Eleonora Abbagnato, blending classical and contemporary dance to celebrate Bvlgari’s fusion of past, present, and future. This was followed by an intricate choreography by Sadeck Berrabah and 80 dancers, whose synchronous movements epitomised his signature artistic direction.
At the Chiostro di Michelangelo, Bvlgari hosted a gala dinner curated by Michelin-starred chef Massimiliano Alajmo, who crafted a bespoke menu for the event.
Bvlgari’s celebration extended beyond the confines of the Terme di Diocleziano with “Vista Aeterna,” an immersive installation by Dutch designer Sabine Marcelis. Installed at the iconic Piazza di Spagna, this artwork features twelve travertine-based pillars with reflective coloured mirrors that rotate throughout the day, capturing and refracting sunlight. This installation, a tribute to Rome’s luminous beauty and architectural heritage, will be on display from May 19th to June 15th.
In line with its pioneering spirit, Bvlgari also introduced the Bvlgari Digital Passport. The passport is a digital record that would store the unique characteristics and certificates of each high jewellery creation on the Aura private blockchain, ensuring the highest standards of transparency and security.
