Bvlgari’s new Mediterranea collection combines Italian craftsmanship and Swiss watchmaking

Schenelle Dsouza

Bvlgari’s jewellery collections have always reflected the brand’s Italian heritage and fine craftsmanship. Their newest collection, however, pays homage to the brand’s roots with a collection inspired by the very place where it all began, the Mediterranean. The collection titled, Mediterranea, combines the best of Italian craftsmanship and Swiss watchmaking to deliver an assortment of unique high-jewellery pieces as well as luxury watches.

“With Mediterranea, Bulgari unveils its new high jewelry and high-end watches collections by embarking on an epic and immersive journey that starts from Rome, the Eternal City and permanent source of creative inspiration for Bulgari, to Venice, the major crossroad of Mediterranean influences where the Roman-Byzantine Empire fused with the Roman Western Empire to give birth to inclusive and unrivaled arts and architecture,” Bulgari CEO, Jean-Christophe Babin said.

A massive collection, Mediterranea comprises as many as 400 exclusive pieces, 90 of which are priced at a few million. The collection is bridged by three distinctive worlds – Southern Radiance, Roman Splendour and East Meets West, each having its own unique aesthetic and colour palette. Elements like cross-pollination, eclecticism and syncretism are reflected thoroughly throughout the Mediterranea collection drawing inspiration from those which connect cultures from the East and West, the Byzantine and Roman aesthetics, references to North African spices and of course the Baroque ambience of southern Italy.

Southern Radiance

Southern Radiance captures the unrivalled essence of the Mediterranean Sea, paying tribute to the dramatic coastlines, the deep blue sea, the clear blue skies and the serenity of Southern Itlay. The jewellery collection reflects a palate of dazzling sapphires from Burma, Zambia and Sri Lanka, intertwined with sparkling cut diamonds to recreate the glistening waters and reefs of the Mediterranean.

The watches in this collection reflect the sunken wonders of the Mediterranean, swarms of fish and aquatic life, vibrant corals and seashells reflected through precious stones like diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, tourmalines, tanzanite, and topaz.

Roman Splendour

Rome, the Eternal City, was the source of inspiration for the Roman Splendour range. Bvlgari’s usage of Greek and Roman coins in its collections is celebrated through the use of the ancient art of cameo carving, which dates back to the fifth century BC, in Greece. Binding together the traditional art and Roman history, Roman Splendour pays tribute to Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt through the Cameo Imperiale secret watch necklace which bears a silhouette of Cleopatra.

As for the jewellery pieces, these are defined by bold hues of green emeralds paired with diamonds, amethyst and turquoise crystals which pay tribute to the Eternal City’s most emblematic monuments, structures and mythology linked to its history.

East Meets West

The East Meets West collection turns to a wide range of countries across three different continents, Europe, Africa and Asia, for inspiration. Rome and Venice have been believed to have built bridges connecting the old and new worlds, exploring the intersection of communities and cultures, and exchanging exotic treasures such as precious gemstones, rich fabrics and aromatic scents. The cross-pollination of these cultures and elements is translated into a mosaic of elements defined by vibrant hues and intricate design.

The Oriental Buds High-Jewellery Secret Watch is the star of this collection. Reminiscent of the rich Byzantine architecture and exotic gardens, the watch features an amalgamation of diamonds, tourmalines, emeralds and sapphires beads to create a flower design with influences from  Indian Mughal architecture.

A star-studded event 

The launch of the new collection was no less than a gala with celebrities drenched in some of Bvlgari’s most stunning creations. The stars of the show, however, were brand ambassadors Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Anne Hathaway, and Zendaya, each of whom was seen sporting pieces from the new collection.

Sporting a royal red ensemble, Priyanka Chopra dressed in a red custom Miss Sohee design comprising an off-the-shoulder long-sleeve crop top and a floor-length skirt bearing a hard-to-miss jewelled flower embellishment. The Citadel star paired the outfit with Bvlgari’s Fairy Wings necklace featuring eight coloured gemstones, and matching drop earrings.

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Zendaya brought in the old Hollywood glam with a custom black velvet Richard Quinn gown paired with Bvlgari’s iconic Serpenti choker encrusted with yellow diamonds for a minimally glam look

Anne Hathway looked every bit as royal dressed in a silver and gold Atelier Versace gown boasting a dramatic slit which she later paired with a matching hood. Keep up the shimmery look, Hathway accessorized her look with a diamond and ruby collar necklace, a ruby cocktail ring and a yellow diamond Serpenti bracelet and another colourful gemstone bracelet.

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