International visitors have flooded Corso Umberto, the main street of Taormina. They enjoy ice cream, smile while taking selfies and buy local ceramics. Our journalistic team, however, has another mission. We turn down an alley, head down the steps and soon find ourselves at the entrance to the Palazzo San Domenico Four Seasons. The place is familiar, the second season of the popular series White Lotus was filmed here. I wouldn't be at all surprised to suddenly see Jennifer Coolidge on a Vespa, making her appearance a la Monica Vitti. We enter a specially designed showroom and the colour combinations of the stones in the display cases take us into a parallel reality. To the striking beauty of Bulgari's Polychroma collection.
The unveiling of each high jewellery collection is an event. The haute couture of jewellery is always based on the precious gifts of nature. But also on the art of handcrafting and exquisite design. This collection raises the bar even higher.
With its name that draws attention to the Greek roots of the house founded by the Epirotic Sotiris Voulgaris in 1884, it celebrates the DNA of the Italian brand. Rome and its history, its trademark unique combinations of coloured stones and the constant rebirth of motifs and techniques such as Serpenti.
Polychroma reveals a panorama of 56 colours reflected in the gemstones through 300 pieces. It bears the signature of the house's artistic director, Lucia Silvestri. In front of us looms the fourth largest spinel in the world. It weighs 131.21 carats, comes from Tajikistan and has a royal pedigree. It is the center stone of the Celestial Mosaic necklace, inspired by the mosaic Tree of Life mosaic located in Jericho.
I'm falling in love at first sight with a new interpretation of the house's historic ring, Trombino. It first appeared in 1928 designed by Leonilde Bulgari, wife of Giorgio Bulgari, Sotirio's son. The 45.07 carat yellow diamond «built» in platinum, cut in the shape of an Asscher, is accompanied by white baguette and pavé diamonds and I am convinced that it hardly leaves anyone unmoved.
In a next display case we find the Cosmic Vault, a 123.35 carat sugarloaf-shaped sapphire from Sri Lanka. Its first public presentation was at the Met Gala last May, on Anne Hathaway's neck. Still in the hall of high watchmaking, the new watch-jewellery collection, signed by Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani. It includes the Nuvole Preziose watch necklace, inspired by the Basilica di Massenzio, from which two pieces are transformed into earrings. But also the secret Gioco di Forme e Colori watch with art deco influences and a tanzanite as the central protagonist.
I meet the smiling Mary Katrantzou, Creative Director of the leather goods and accessories house. I am overcome with a sweet pride as she announces that some pieces from the very limited line of jewellery bags, where the clasps become necklaces, which she designed and which are also presented here at Palazzo San Domenico, have already been sold.
A few hours later, Viola Davis, Priyanka Chopra and Blackpink's Lisa, ambassadors of the house, smile with ease and fun at the photographers. They were captured on the terrace of the Grand Timeo Hotel, just before the formal dinner was served.
«Each Polychroma creation is a unique testimony to our vibrant and colourful DNA. A celebration of the boldness that has always been Bulgari's hallmark.» As the house's CEO, Jean-Christophe Babin, tells us, who talks to us about Bulgari's Greek history. He prepares us for the show that will follow at the Teatro Antico in the Sicilian city, which he describes as «a Greek tragedy with a happy ending».
We find our place in the ancient Roman theatre with Hellenistic roots. The pieces of the collection are presented worn by the models. The spectacle is special: the models «converse» with a group of contemporary dancers as the 56 colours of Polychroma's gemstones shine seductively.
Source: vogue.gr
