Belief Bulgari to kick off excessive jewelry season in probably the most epic approach. Held in Venice on the extraordinary Palazzo Ducale, the two-night extravaganza noticed the nice and glamorous flock to the Floating Metropolis to have fun the home’s new Mediterranea excessive jewelry assortment. And for over 40 years, one outstanding lady has been liable for realising the Roman jeweller’s fantastical creations: Lucia Silvestri, Bulgari’s Jewelry Inventive Director. Contemporary off the home’s magnificent exhibiting, we sit down with Silvestri to debate the Mediterranea excessive jewelry assortment, her favorite items from the gathering and her upcoming adventures.

The theme of this yr’s excessive jewelry assortment is Mediterranea. I needed to ask you in case you have a selected reminiscence you’re keen on that’s linked to the Mediterranean.

I’ve so many recollections in regards to the Mediterranean, from Rome to Sicily to Greece, to Africa. It’s a journey, and I cherished this theme from the start, as a result of it’s a journey. And all of the locations that impressed me, I’ve been there many occasions, ranging from Rome and Naples, Palermo, Greece, so it’s very inspiring.

How would you describe the spirit of this excessive jewelry assortment?

It’s a mixture of cultures. We have now a variety of nations across the Mediterranean, and it’s actually a mixture of cultures. So for example, and that is an instance of top-of-the-line combos [NB: see photo below] — after I began to consider this necklace, I began with mandarin garnets that jogged my memory of the deserts of Morocco, and the flavour and spices of Morocco. I believed that it may very well be the precise mixture — this very sparkly, heat [stone], stuffed with solar and fiery color — with one thing extra delicate, and on this case, we use citrines.

It’s the primary time that we used mandarin garnets and citrines collectively in excessive jewelry — it’s a brand new mixture. Yearly, now we have a brand new mixture, and this yr, that is certainly one of these new combos. The thought may be very a lot Morocco: its desert, dunes and spices. And right here, there’s Venice, with the home windows — the motif is from Venice — so that is actually a mixture between two cultures. I like the thought of this mixture and the craftsmanship. It’s actually superb. It’s a bit of artwork.

It’s fantastic. You possibly can take a look at it from the entrance and the again.

I adore it, that is my favorite necklace. I began from the gems: I purchased the gems one after the other, after which we reduce them in an ideal approach, in a Bulgari approach. Now, it’s our masterpiece.

My subsequent query additionally pertains to gems, since you’ve at all times mentioned that gems are at all times the centre of your concepts. What had been a few of your favorite gems to work inside this assortment?

This assortment? It’s very troublesome… I really like this one [NB: see photo below] as a result of it has greater than 200 carats of emeralds and I really like this one specifically as a result of I adopted the slicing of the gem. Originally, after I noticed the gem, it was not polished, not reduce, and I mentioned with the proprietor of the gem as a result of I noticed a sugarloaf and he was fascinated with a faceted stone. So I attempted to persuade them that for Bulgari, one of the simplest ways to make use of the gem was making it a sugarloaf, and in the long run, I satisfied him that this was one of the simplest ways, with these very clean corners. It’s not sharp, it is vitally female, very light, and so we may take into consideration a really light, elegant necklace. And it’s versatile, so you possibly can put on it with out the emerald or the pearls, or collectively.

Extremely transformable as properly. What’s your favorite piece in the entire assortment?

It’s troublesome, however I really like this one [NB: See below].

Due to all of the combos of the mandarin garnets and every part?

Sure, as a result of the inspiration was so distinctive.

And what was probably the most difficult piece to make on this assortment?

Each piece may be very difficult [laughs]. We wish to have a problem from the craftsmanship, from the inventive perspective. The Serpenti may be very difficult, as a result of the craftsmanship evolves yearly, and yearly it will get higher. So, every part is a problem.

I’m positive you’ve travelled to Venice many occasions. What are a few of your favorite locations to go to in Venice?

The Palazzo Ducale is mostly a shock for me. I’ve seen the Palazzo Ducale many occasions, however yesterday and the day earlier than yesterday, that room [NB: the Sala dello Scrutinio] was superb, so inspiring. That was my first time, so I used to be trying on the ceiling and I dreamed about new necklaces, new rings and new earrings and an entire assortment in a single evening.

So we’d see a group impressed by Venice sooner or later?

My inspiration comes from travelling. Venice is one place [that inspires me], and, after all, Rome. I can’t overlook that Rome is at all times our first supply of inspiration.

I’m at all times very struck by your very tactile method in terms of designing. After I was watching Contained in the Dream final yr, I noticed that you just picked up the gems, you performed round with it, blended and matched them. I’m very to know, why do you continue to do what you do? Why are you continue to impressed to maintain designing?

As a result of I really like what I do. It’s probably not a job, it’s a ardour — and I really feel you could really feel the fervour behind our jewelry. We proceed to do it with an amazing ardour, not solely due to me, however as a result of our workforce — and all of the groups round me — are passionate. From artisans, to designers, to the patrons, we do it with pleasure. We benefit from the power of the gems, and we can’t overlook that we’re working with a present from nature. This reward makes me completely satisfied, so I’m completely satisfied to work each time. I don’t work, I play.

And for my final query: you journey a lot. So the place are you off to subsequent? What will likely be your subsequent journey?

My subsequent journey will not be actually an journey, however I’m visiting Japan due to the excessive jewelry presentation there. I really like Japan.

This text first appeared on Grazia Singapore.

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