Bulgari - an Italian company with Greek roots that conquered the whole world.When it seems that the ideal has been achieved, the next novelty from Bulgari proves with its perfection the refinement and taste, emphasized by the elegance, that everything is just beginning. The first positions in the world jewelry belong to the company deservedly - the blue diamond from Bvlgari has no equal in cutting skills and originality of execution.
The Formation of the Bulgari Empire
A competent, entrepreneurial Greek jeweler, master Sotirios Vulgaris founded the business at the end of the 19th century and opened the first store in his native village of Paramitia in Greece. This boutique in the most beautiful corner of Epirus has survived to the present day.
Over the next ten years, Sotiros and his family moved several times and, opening a network of antique shops and jewelry stores in Rome. These include the world-famous boutique on Via Condotti, built in 1884, which later became a museum. The store he calls the "Shop of Antiquities", a big name due to the popularity of the novel of the same name by Charles Dickens.
Sotirios bet on a popular name worked - in English and European fashion circles it became fashionable to bring trinkets from Italy from the Vulgaris family shop. A decade later, the father, with the help of his sons Konstantino and Georgio, creates and puts jewelry for sale. Jewelry of that time - the brainchild of a hobby by a master of American and French jewelry schools.
Father transferred the management of the business to the children in 1932. The time of changes led to a change of surname in the Italian manner - Bulgari, and two years later he dies. In the same year, the heirs increase the boutique on Via Condotti. The trademark of Bulgari's products was the use of platinum inlaid with large precious stones with a facet that is characteristic only of craftsmen of the Bulgari jewelry house and distinguishing the fixing of stones "in the nest".
The difficult post-war period made adjustments to the cost of products and the manner of jewelry; Giorgio and Konstantino give preference to cheaper metals. Surprise was made by an unexpected combination of silver and steel, as well as pave jewelry, the brothers created a new, bold design, in the style of the Greek and Roman classical jewelry schools, imbued with the elegance of the Italian Renaissance. At the same time, la fleur brooches and necklaces that do not go out of fashion appear, which laid the foundation for a bright brand rise.
Conquering the world
At the end of the 50s, representatives of European nobility became regular buyers of jewelry from Bulgari, the name of the company is deservedly strengthened in the first positions among global brands. The outfits of the Duchess of Windsor were constantly adorned with Bvlgari masterpieces.
Company enlargement and merger with LVMH
The 1970s of the twentieth century were marked by a significant expansion of the company - representative offices were opened in Paris, Monte Carlo, New York, and Geneva. In 1977, the grandchildren of the great jeweler began manufacturing a line of personalized watches.
Business is growing non-stop due to the fact that only the Bulgari family remain owners. The presidency of the company passed to the grandchildren of Sotiros - Nicolo and Paolo.The post of executive director remained for Francesco Trapani, the nephew of the founder.
In 1990, during continuous growth, Bulgari launched the first fragrance "Eau Parfumee Cologne au The Vert", immediately won the love of true connoisseurs of perfumes. In the Swiss city of Neuchatel found the management of "Bvlgari parfum".
At the same time, the Bulgari brand ranks first among the world classics of chic manufacturers of precious jewelry and accessories. The recognizability of the collections is ensured by unchanging luxury, the exciting charm of products under the name Bulgari.
In order to maintain a position in the global market, the company’s management introduces trainings for staff in order to prevent customer requests, anticipate fashion trends. The year 1996 is marked by the first collection of textiles from the Bvlgari brand. And a year later, leather products and a collection of glasses are brought to the market.
Efforts to strengthen our positions brought the long-awaited results - from 1997 to the mid-2000s, the company's profits quadrupled.
During the expansion, the Bulgari company began cooperation with Marriott International in 2001, the brainchild of this union is the hotel business chain Bulgari Hotels & Resorts. The first hotel work of art (as recognized by world critics) was opened in the prestigious area of Milan. Then hotels in Bali and in London open. Bulgari Bali quickly won the second place among the top 10 hotels in Asia.
The flagship Bulgari supplies the company owning Silversea luxury cruise ships. These types of farms have created another niche for expanding plants - the company's management buys out vineyards and, under the leadership of recognized winemaker Riccardo Cotarella, produces flagship Bulgari wine.
In 2011, Bvlgari management agrees to transfer a 53% stake to LVMH (France). After that, LVMH buys out Bvlgari for $ 6 billion, and the Bulgari family acquires a 3% stake in the holding. This merger has strengthened Bulgari's family business in the international arena.
Company directions
Fragrances
Bulgari perfumes are recognizable and refined, bold, fresh combinations won hearts with a signature fragrance, the creation of which was worked by the geniuses Annique Menardo, Jean-Claude Ellen, Jacques Cavallier, Olivier Polge and others.
Bracelets and watches
A steady increase in the series of watches and bracelets is possible due to the constant purchase by the company of Bulgari of the most famous watch and watch movement companies ("Daniel Roth", "Cadrans", "Prestige d'Or"). At the beginning of the watch epic, the company did only design, now the stages of the execution of parts, production, assembly, and release of watch movements are able to carry out Bvlgari factories independently.
The latest invention of watchmakers managed to conquer the world with the perfection of form, quality and luxury. Bulgari Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater - a watch in a titanium case, with cuts for watch signs, the bracelet is made of black crocodile leather with the perfect melody of the movement. This is a truly limited elite series (there are only 50 of these watches on the market).
Accessories
In 2005, Bulgari was bought by the Italian company Pachini, specializing in the creation of leather goods. This purchase inspired the creation of a line of new leather products inlaid with stones, metal and other refinements.
Constantly growing assortment and increasing demand served as an impetus for the opening of new boutiques in Tokyo, Rome, Siul, Florence and other European cities.
Luxury jewelery and chic collections due to trademark secrets - some drawings for precious crafts more than a hundred years. Throughout the life of the eminent company, designers collected sketches and finished drawings around the world to use ideas in developing new directions.
According to sales data, the production of souvenirs and tableware, together with Rosenthal, customers took with obvious interest. Each innovation of a trend firm is perceived by the public as a modern fashionable trend, to which they obey.
Cosmetics
Bulgari S.p.A skin care products are designed for mature women. The composition of anti-aging creams, scrubs, lotions and other products includes elements of precious minerals (sapphire, tourmaline). Such formulas cope well with the manifestations of skin aging due to natural ingredients and a well-developed auxiliary composition.
Charity
Bulgari celebrated the 125th anniversary by launching a series of rings and pendants "Save the children", together with the international organization of the same name. Part of the income is transferred to the accounts of organizations to help children from lagging countries.
During this action, assistance was provided to more than 600 thousand children in third world countries and countries with difficult situations.
Links to company products:
- www.bulgari.com - the official website in Russian;
- www.raffaello-network.com - online store with home delivery;
- www.kupivip.ru is an outlet for luxury brands.
