• Website: bulgari.com
• Founded: 1884, Rome, Italy.
• Founder: Sotirio Bulgari
• Owned By: LVMH
• Known For: Serpenti, B.zero1, Divas' Dream, Octo Finissimo, colored gemstones
• Category Focus: Jewelry, high jewelry, watches, handbags, accessories, eyewear, fragrance, luxury hospitality
Bulgari is one of Italy's most celebrated luxury houses, renowned for bold jewelry, vibrant colored gemstones, and a distinctive identity inspired by Rome. Founded in 1884 by Greek silversmith Sotirio Bulgari, the company evolved from a jewelry shop into an international maison encompassing high jewelry, watches, leather goods, fragrance, and luxury hospitality.
Known for combining sculptural forms with expressive color, Bulgari draws inspiration from classical architecture and Italian decorative arts. Signature house codes—including Serpenti, Tubogas, and the Roman lettering of the BVLGARI name—remain among its most recognizable design elements.
Today, Bulgari is part of LVMH, continuing to develop its Roman luxury universe under Chief Executive Officer Laura Burdese, who assumed the role in July 2026.
Serpenti Viper Bracelet
B.zero1 Ring
Divas' Dream Necklace
Serpenti Tubogas Watch
Octo Finissimo Watch
BVLGARI BVLGARI Watch
Serpenti Forever Bag
Eau Parfumée Thé Vert
Bulgari's story began in 1884, when Sotirio Bulgari opened his first shop on Rome's Via Sistina. Trained as a silversmith, he brought his Greek craftsmanship to Italy, establishing a business that would develop a distinctive jewelry language under subsequent generations of the Bulgari family.
During the twentieth century, the house became known for generous volumes, cabochon gemstones, and unexpected color combinations. Its Roman boutiques attracted international clients, while creations such as Serpenti and BVLGARI BVLGARI established lasting connections between jewelry, watchmaking, and design.
Today, Bulgari combines its Italian jewelry heritage with Swiss watchmaking expertise, fragrance creation, and luxury hotels, extending its aesthetic into different expressions of contemporary living.
Key milestones:
• 1884: Sotirio Bulgari establishes his first shop on Via Sistina in Rome.
• 1905: Bulgari opens its historic flagship boutique at Via dei Condotti 10.
• 1948: The first Serpenti bracelet-watches introduce the house's enduring snake motif.
• 1977: The BVLGARI BVLGARI watch launches with its distinctive double-logo bezel.
• 1992: Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert debuts as a gift for the house's high jewelry clients.
• 1999: The B.zero1 ring launches to celebrate the approaching new millennium.
• 2004: The first Bulgari Hotel opens in Milan.
• 2011: Bulgari joins LVMH, beginning a new chapter in its international development.
• 2014: Octo Finissimo debuts, establishing a new direction in ultra-thin watchmaking.
• 2024: Bulgari celebrates its 140th anniversary and establishes Fondazione Bvlgari.
Bulgari transformed a Roman silversmith's business into a global luxury house, making bold design and exceptional gemstones central to its identity.
“Bulgari built its identity by making luxury feel bold rather than restrained. Few maisons have created such a distinctive visual language across jewelry, watches, and lifestyle experiences.”
Bulgari matters because it established a distinctive Italian approach to jewelry, combining expressive color with architectural forms.
Its influence can be seen across:
• The creative use of colored gemstones in luxury jewelry
• The evolution of the snake motif through Serpenti
• The development of ultra-thin mechanical watches
• The extension of a jewelry house's identity into luxury hospitality
By combining Roman inspiration, skilled craftsmanship, and technical innovation, Bulgari continues to shape contemporary luxury.
