Bulgari

Sotirios Voulgaris arrived in Rome from Ottoman Epirus in the late 19th century with a silver shop on Via Sistina. His initial focus was on Greek-style jewelry and silver pieces for tourists, but he quickly shifted toward gold and gemstones to capture the Roman market. The brand grew organically over decades before LVMH acquired it in 2011 for roughly €8 billion. Despite the French ownership, the creative direction remains deeply rooted in the Italian capital.

Modern Bulgari distinguishes itself through bold color palettes and architectural forms that reference ancient Roman coins and mosaics. The Tubogas bracelet introduced flexible gold bands without soldering, while the B.Zero1 collection fused steel and gold into iconic rings and necklaces. These designs moved away from traditional floral motifs to embrace geometric strength and vibrant enamel work.

The company expanded beyond accessories into timepieces with the Octo line, which set multiple world records for the thinnest automatic watches. They also partnered with Marriott International to launch luxury hotels in cities like Milan, Tokyo, and Paris. Recent expansions include new boutiques in San Diego and Dallas as of 2026, alongside a 37mm version of the Octo Finissimo Automatic released to broaden their watch range. [edit]