Bulgari’s Holi event at Antilia features select necklaces from its coloured gemstone Heritage Collection

Bulgari’s Heritage Collection draws inspiration from the Navaratna, a talisman connected to Indian astrology and unites the celebrated cultures and traditions of India and Italy on a global stage

Mumbai: Italian high jeweller Bulgari celebrated the festive spirit of Holi with ‘A Roman Holi’ at a vibrant gala event held in Mumbai, at Antilia, co-hosted with Isha M. Ambani, Director, Reliance Industries Limited. The evening was an ode to Bulgari’s love for India and its deep connection to its rich cultural heritage.

For this special occasion, Bulgari selected nine necklaces from its Heritage Collection, featuring nine different gems inspired by the Navaratna, a talisman connected to Indian astrology, expressing the Maison’s love for coloured gemstones. The pieces highlighted rubies, sapphires, emeralds, amethysts, pearls, diamonds, citrines and peridots.

Bulgari’s long-standing admiration for the country deeply resonated throughout the event, showing a heartfelt connection to India’s precious cultural legacy. Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Bulgari’s global ambassador, embraced the spirit of the Maison at the gathering. “Holi is one of my favourite festivals, and I’m thrilled to be celebrating it with Bulgari as A Roman Holi, a concept that beautifully blends innovation with the rich traditions of both India and Italy. This event holds a special place in my heart as Bulgari’s Heritage Collection draws inspiration from the Navaratna, uniting the celebrated cultures and traditions of India and Italy on a global stage. Bulgari’s dedication to diversity and its practice of imbibing cultural heritage to craft its legacy have always resonated with me. I am looking forward to witnessing how we can serve as inspirations to build a heritage that elevates the grandeur of both countries,” she shared.

Jean-Christophe Babin, Bulgari CEO, and Lucia Silvestri, Bulgari Jewellery Creative Director, immersed themselves in the magical atmosphere of the evening. Ayushmann Khurrana, a friend of the Maison, who previously unveiled the B.zero1 Kada Bracelet, also joined the celebration.

The relationship India has with jewellery goes beyond aesthetic appeal, comments Jean-Christophe Babin. “Bulgari is honored to celebrate this important symbolic moment for India, highlighting its heritage collection of coloured gemstones in the aura of Holi,” he said.

A Roman Holi aims to forge an enduring tie between India and the Maison that will lend to endless creative expressions. “For me, India has been at the forefront of innovation and craftsmanship from the very beginning. Seeing the connection between ideologies from different parts of the world is extremely fascinating,” said Lucia Silvestri, Bulgari Jewellery Creative Director.

Ayushmann Khurrana, Athiya Shetty, Madhuri Dixit, Shriram Nene, and Shilpa Shetty were among the guests.

Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin foresees India among top 5 markets in 10 years

The brand is also strategically fortifying its position in the Indian market. In an exclusive interview with CNBC TV-18, CEO Jean-Christophe Babin unveiled Bulgari’s ambitious expansion strategies and vision for the Indian luxury retail sector. He said that India could ascend to one of Bulgari’s top 5 markets within the next decade. “India could be the top destination for all global luxury products,” Babin told CNBC TV-18.

Babin also revealed that the brand’s recent endeavours and future initiatives are aimed at capitalising on the growing demand for luxury goods in India and outlined the brand’s plans to open 2-3 new boutique stores in India over the next few years, with a focus on establishing a strong presence in emerging luxury markets such as Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Additionally, the brand aims to expand its reach through collaborations with multi-brand watch partners, intending to double its presence from 12 cities to 20 cities nationwide.

Recognising India’s cultural affinity for gold and traditional jewellery, Bulgari has been “Indianising” its offerings by incorporating indigenous elements into its product offerings. Collaborations with Indian celebrities, including Priyanka Chopra for the design of the Bulgari Mangalsutra and the recent release – Bulgari Kada, have been a big success, with these Indian-specific launches consistently selling out.

Despite facing challenges such as the availability of luxury retail spaces in smaller cities, Babin expressed optimism about India’s potential as a key market for Bulgari’s future growth. He emphasised the need for increased infrastructure development, including luxury malls and retail spaces, to accommodate the rising demand for luxury brands in India.

Courtesy: Retail Jeweller India News, cnbctv18.com, vogue.in