Bulgari, known as the ‘Jeweller of Roma’ and founded in 1884, officially opened a new boutique in Holt Renfrew this morning with guest host Daniel Paltridge, President of Bulgari Corp of America, in attendance.
The architectural concept of the concession, by LVMH favoured designer Peter Marino, is a capsule of all the colours and textures of Bulgari in a petite 450-square-foot space.
“This milestone marks a special moment for Bulgari, as it brings our Maison’s Roman roots and spirit of innovation to Vancouver, a very important city for the brand,” said Paltridge. “We are pleased to open our boutique in Holt Renfrew in a manner that represents the contemporary Bulgari brand while simultaneously paying tribute to our rich, Roman heritage.”
The finishes are exquisite with base materials originating from all over Europe and quintessentially Roman. Framing the open portal entrance, Black Grand Antique marble (from the same quarry as marble at the Vatican), the Condotti eight point star in red porphyry marks the threshold. The signature eight-point star dates back to the first Bulgari shop in Rome opened by Sotirio Bulgari and provides a unifying symbol honouring Rome as the brand’s home.
On the inside, the flooring features Italian walnut square-patterned parquet with a degrade effect, which evokes an atmosphere flooded by natural sunlight. In the stores center, a light bronze oval-shaped counter in galvanized iron, inspired by the renowned Italian architect Carlo Scarpa, invites customers to explore the iconic collections while an impressive Murano crystal chandelier by Italian artisan Vistosi illuminates the boutique.
The walls are finished with Bulgari’s signature gold and yellow scagliola plaster and decorated with iconic images of celebrities as a tribute to the brand’s long-standing relationship with Hollywood. Paltridge shared an anecdote of movie stars – Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton – who came to Italy to film Cleopatra in Cinecittà, found themselves bored and relieved their stress shopping in Bulgari. Of course, we all know the stories of their tempestuous relationship, and how Burton returned to Bulgari to purchase many pieces to appease Taylor including a 65 carat cabochon sapphire and diamond sautoir!
Author Profile
- Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Marketing & Communications Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine and digital women's lifestyle magazine EcoLuxLifestyle.co. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury lifestyle niche. Post-pandemic, she has worked with many small to mid-sized plant-based/vegan brands to build their digital foundations and strategize content creation and business development. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read industry magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and consults with many of the world’s luxury heritage brands. Always seeking new opportunities and challenges, you can email her at helen@ecoluxluv.com.
FashionJanuary 24, 2024Don’t Fall Prey to Greenwashing When Shopping!- EventsJanuary 18, 2024Luxe Wedding Soirée Inspires with Couture & Culinary Delights
- BeautyNovember 8, 2023Loa Skin: How Tyler & Spencer Create Clean Skincare Solutions for You
- Disruptive Women in BusinessOctober 6, 2023Marianne Zakhour: Orderbot Creates Success with Better Systems & Automation
