Bulgari

Joint-stock company

Products

• Jewelry
• Jewelery
• Watches
• Perfume
• Accessories Template: Infobox Company / Maintenance / products

Bulgari ( Italian pronunciation: [ bulɡari ] ) or the Bulgari SpA Rome is one with an international network of offices in the luxury goods sector (jewelry, watches, perfume, leather goods and hotel industry ) worldwide operating company.

The former family business, established in 1884 - after Cartier ( Richemont ) and Tiffany & Co. - the third largest jewelry manufacturer in the world (as of 2010 ) and belongs since 2011 to the Group Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.

• 5.1 North America
• 5.2 South America

Name origin

According to the classical Latin alphabet ( where V = U) the name of the brand in general BVLGARI is written. He comes from the surname of the company's founder, Sotirios Voulgaris from ( 1857-1932 ). The Greek Sotirios Voulgaris silversmith (Greek: Σωτήριος Βούλγαρης, Greek pronunciation: [ sotirjos vulɣaris ] ) introduced in Italy the name Sotirio Bulgari.

Company History

The origins: Sotirios Voulgaris

Sotirios Voulgaris was a goldsmith, who came from the Greek Paramithia, one in the Epirus region (Ottoman Empire) village in which Voulgaris opened his first, still visible business. In 1877 he went to Corfu, and later to Naples. In 1881 he came to Rome and opened several gold jewelery and antique shops, including one in 1884 in the area of ​​Via Sistina.

1905, the shop in Via Sistina from the current flagship shop in Via Condotti 10 is replaced, which is now a historical monument. At the foundation was supported Sotirios Voulgaris by his two sons Costantino (1889-1973) and Giorgio ( 1890-1966 ). In this period was called the shop " Old Curiosity Shop" and turned to customers from the United States and Britain.

Only after 1910, Voulgaris, specializing in jewelry and got the inspiration for his creations of the Paris and the American school.

In 1932 his sons took over the company's management. Sotirios Voulgaris died in 1934. During the same year his sons built the store in Via Condotti from. The inauguration ceremony took place on April 9, 1934.

The 1950s and 1960s: La Dolce Vita

In the course of establishing the Cinecitta studios in Rome, the business enjoyed in Rome a growing clientele from the scene: Elizabeth Taylor, Marlene Dietrich, Clark Gable, Gary Cooper, Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, Romy Schneider and Gina Lollobrigida.

The 1970s to 2000s: International expansion and diversification of Bulgari activity

In the 1970s Bulgari opened its first stores in New York, Paris, Geneva and Monte Carlo. His showroom in New York's Hotel Pierre, the company retained for several years.

In 1984, Paolo and Nicola Bulgari, the grandson of Sotirio, was appointed President and Vice President of the company and nephew Francesco Trapani Voulgaris Managing Director. From the beginning of the 1990s, the company diversified Trapani by brought out a Bulgari perfume line. Under Trapani leadership Bulgari prevailed as globally recognized luxury brand.

At the beginning of 2001, Bulgari founded with the luxury division of Marriott International, a joint venture, and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company LLC managed. Goal was the introduction of a new luxury hotel brand, namely Bulgari Hotels & Resorts. The first Bulgari Hotel opened in 2004 in Milan, 2006 was established a branch in Bali, in 2012 was followed by another hotel in London. In 2011, the Bulgari Bali was voted by the readers of the magazine Smart Travel Asia 's second best hotel in Asia.

1995, the company goes to the Italian Stock Exchange. From 1997 to 2003, sales increased by 150%.

In the 2010s - years: Bulgari is bought by LVMH

On March 7, 2011, the LVMH Group announced that it had purchased 51 % of the capital of Bulgari and plan a friendly takeover. On this day the shares on the Milan Stock Exchange rose by almost 60 %. Finally, in September of the same year, the LVMH shares rose 98.09 %. In February 2012, the Bulgari family sold the LVMH shares for 236.7 million euros.

The former CEO of Bulgari changed to the " watch and jewelry " of the group, the former managing director of the from the " fashion and leather goods " incurred Fendi company took over the leadership of the Italian jewelry company.

LVMH eventually owned a total of 3.7 billion euro and supported the development of the brand: It was more invested in advertising, set up a central purchasing for all jewelery brands of the group and announced the intention to introduce the Italian brand in 2015 on the Place Vendôme and there the jewelery company Buccellati to replace.

Bulgari 2012 counted 180 company-owned outlets: International development and the number of franchisee of the brand below to continue fast forward.

Development of forms

Designed at the beginning of the 1920s and 1930s jewelry in the tradition of Art Deco - simple shapes and geometric style, always in connection with the use of platinum. The 1930s were marked by more impressive creations with diamond patterns in different sizes and combinations with precious stones: sapphire, emerald, ruby. Some jewelry pieces were " changeable " and could be worn as a necklace or as a bracelet. In the same fashion brooches could be converted to trailers.

Due to the scarcity in the Second World War the house Bulgari had to replace the diamond-studded platinum, gold, and reduce the number of gems. The design was delicate and was inspired by nature. Bulgari Thus away from the strict rules of the French school and created a unique, of Greco-Roman classicism, the Italian Renaissance and the Roman goldsmith school of the 19th century inspired style.

During the economic boom of the postwar years could again be returned to white metal with gems and especially diamonds tipped creations. At the end of the 1950s Bulgari drew more delicate forms in front of an edgy style. Furthermore, large cabochons were often used that developed the trademark of the company. For Bulgari style also includes the forms with structured symmetrically and compactly arranged gold and the color matches the numerous gemstone combinations.

The creations of the 1970s stand out for their diversity. They are inspired by fireworks and oriental art. In particular, snakes or even pop art motifs were used, such as in the acknowledged by Andy Warhol Collection " Stars and Stripes". During this time, yellow gold was the material of choice, and oval, set with cabochons and framed in gold and diamonds were elements such as the mighty gold chain for Bulgari trademark.

The 1980s were characterized by volumes, vibrant colors, simple shapes and stylized ornament designs. Yellow gold was still used in the 1990s, the Bulgari style but was less structured.

Watches and Bracelets

For the production of the Bulgari watches the Swiss company subsidiary Bulgari Haute Horlogerie SA is responsible. It was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Neuchatel. Bulgari Haute Horlogerie SA employs about 500 people. Bulgari developed his own calibers and parts, most complex works are combined with classic calibers. The Bulgari watch collection comprises the following product lines: Bulgari - Bulgari, Sotirio - Bulgari, Assioma, Astral, Serpenti, B.Zero1, Daniel Roth, Rettangolo, Ergon, Diagono and Octo.

Shops

Bulgari relies on a distribution network with nearly 300 located in the most famous venues shops. The largest Bulgari store in the world in Tokyo in the " Bulgari Ginza Tower ": 940 square feet of retail space, including a restaurant and bar

North America

The North American Bulgari stores, and merchants are located in Atlanta, Beverly Hills, Bal Harbour, Boca Raton, Bethesda - ( Chevy Chase ), Chicago, Costa Mesa, Dallas, Honolulu, Houston, New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Montreal, Palm Beach, San Francisco, Short Hills, Waikiki, and Scottsdale, Arizona.

South America

In South America there are Bulgari stores and dealers in Lima, Bogotá, São Paulo, Margarita Iceland and Quito.

Donate

From 2009 to 2011 Bulgari has donated 12 million euros to the association Save The Children. This partnership was renewed at the end of 2011. Previously, you could be helped with these donations 334 101 children. 9,899 teachers were trained, and in 206 schools rehabilitation measures were carried out.

Others

Bulgari designed for General Motors or its luxury brand Cadillac XLR features on the model (2004-2009): the Keyless Go function key and also the dashboard with real wood applications from eucalyptus wood (ebony the XLR - V).