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The Bulgaris descend from an ancient family of Greek silversmiths whose activity began in the small village of Epirus, where Sotirio, the founder of the family, made precious objects in silver.

In the mid-19th century Sotirio emigrated to Italy where in 1884 he opened his first shop in via Sistina in Rome. With the help of his sons Costantino and Giorgio, in 1905 he inaugurated the shop in via Condotti, which still today is Bvlgari's flagship store. Pay a virtual visit inside the Bvlgari flagship store in Rome, Via Condotti.    During the first decades of the 20th century, the two brothers eveloped a passionate interest in precious stones and jewels, gradually taking over their father's role. During the 50's Bvlgari moves away from the strict disciplines of the dominant French school to create its own unique styleThe 1970's mark the beginning of Bvlgari's international expansion with the opening of their first overseas store in New York, and in Paris, Geneva, and Monte Carlo.                                           

Today Bvlgari has 81 stores throughout the world. In the early 1990's, Bvlgari Parfums is established in Switzerland marking the Group's entry in the high-class perfume market. On July 17th ,1995 the Bvlgari Holding Company S.p.A. is quoted on the Italian Stock Exchange Telematic system and the International SEAQ in London. In 1997 Bvlgari introduces its first collection of silk scarves, characterized by an original design and top quality manufacturing. The first collection of Leather bags and Eyewear are launched in 1998, while table and giftware complete Bvlgari's diversification program in 1999. Today, Paolo Bulgari and Nicola Bulgari, respectively Chairman and Vice-Chairman, together with their nephew Francesco Trapani, Chief Executive Officer, manage the company's development with the intent of better serving an international market, while remaining fine and prestigious jewelers.    Every Bvlgari creation is permeated with a spirit of excellence, hence the attention to detail and the research for absolute quality, typical of each product, coexist with an innate yearn to surpass oneself and respond passionately to the ever changing market's requests. Every Bvlgari product is an object that undergoes meticulous examination in order to be coherent with Bvlgari's tradition in quality and perfectly in harmony with the sensitivity and desire of its The Bvlgari jewels take shape as a watercolour or tempera drawing. The subsequent transformation of a drawing into a finished jewel is left to the skilled hands of the artisan, whose job is to produce a jewel of extraordinary softness, roundness, polish and perfection. From the very first drawing, the idea is analyzed and developed creatively so as to assess the materials and colours that are most suitable for its creation, wearability and coherence with the Bvlgari tradition and style. As far as watches are concerned, Bvlgari succeeded in combining a refined design with sophisticated mechanisms, produced and examined according to severe and rigorous Swiss certification criteria, a guarantee of high quality. All Bvlgari watches are created in the Atelier of Bvlgari Time in Neuchâtel, In order to assure the same qualitative level for all Bvlgari creations, the perfumes are produced with the same care and attention to detail. For this reason, Bvlgari has chosen to directly control each phase of the creation, production, and distribution of its perfumes through Bvlgari Parfums.    Bvlgari also controls the creation, production and distribution of its silk and leather products by working very closely with the manufacturing companies located in Italy. Bvlgari's great relationship with Luxottica's product development team has resulted in the creation of an innovative and refined eyewear collection. Rosenthal's highly evolved know-how for which they are world renowned combined with Bvlgari's style and distinctive design are at the basis of an exclusive and unique Home Designs collection. The service to the client is also a Bvlgari prerogative. Personnel is trained with the Excellence program implemented in 1990 with the objective of bringing, in every Bvlgari store, the standard of excellence distilled throughout the centenary experience in the store in via Condotti. Watch, jewellery, perfume, eyewear and home designs retailers are selected carefully in order to guarantee the same impeccable service standards.

Luxury and fun meet in Bvlgari’s new prescriptions

In 2001 Bvlgari introduces several new lines of prescriptions made in collaboration with Luxottica. An original collection is offered characterized by a range of models for men and women, in metal and acetate, to ensure the maximum comfort, top technological features and a distinctive style.
In line with the third millennium’s optimism and appreciation for pleasurable items of daily use, the new models cater for both those with a more classic view on ophthalmics and an audience wishing to make the most of the visual and tactile features of prescriptions.
With frames reduced to the bare minimum, the models in metal – including ultralight coloured titanium – play with rectangular, oblong or rounded lenses and the decorative power of the temples enhanced by such Bvlgari aesthetic motifs as Parentesi, Quadrato and Bvlgari-Bvlgari. In a subtle twist of design, the latter is placed between two thin metal lines – a playful yet daring interpretation of the traditional arms.
A few models suggest the horizontal Bvlgari logo on unexpected fuselage-like motifs that end in slender metal arms.
The core values of the new ophthalmics collection show to the full in the acetate models that decidedly break free from the unwritten rule of prescriptions with an unpreposessing personality and give way to accessories standing out for their bold use of colour and design. Bi-colour acetate frames host such interesting combinations as red, plum or blueberry coupled with icy white or apple green juxtaposed to moss green and finally violet placed next to pink. The optical effect of a stark Quadrato motif on the temples tells the story of Bvlgari’s passion for accessories with a contemporary style. The Parentesi and Bvlgari-Bvlgari motifs also sign a few models in shaded acetate that are at once characterized by simplicity and sophistication. The new prescriptive frames will be available at a selected network of authorized opticians around the world beginning in June 2001.  Bvlgari has introduced a new sunglasses collection featuring 21 models – for women and men, in metal and coloured acetate – for over 120 references. Colour and design are deeply imprinted in this collection. Colour communicates the genetic code of the line – energy and vitality on both a creative and functional level. Streamlined yet bold design is coupled with a distinctive style that is sporty yet elegant throughout this eclectic collection  The distribution of the Bvlgari product is studied to ensure a presence in selected stores in major cities throughout the world and to guarantee an ideal positioning of the product. In the Country pages you will find the local toll-free number that will give detailed information on the distribution of Bvlgari Watches, Perfume, Home Designs, and other Bvlgari products sold in other selected stores. (Bono, singer of the band U2, wearing Bvlgari eyewear. in the picture)

sources: www.luxottica.com, internet, www.bulgari.it

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