V E R E Y O U N G
Bulgari’s iconic serpent sheds its skin this season, only to reveal a punkier and edgier form. By Amy Yasmine.
ho would have guessed the lounge of the coveted Bulgari Hotel Milano could be transformed into a candy pink skate park? For years now, the glamorous hotel in the heart of Milan’s Brera district has been showcasing its latest accessories collection over the course of Milan Fashion Week, transforming the palatial landmark’s drawing room into a museo curioso of sorts. So while last season’s spectacle involved a psychedelic Austin Powers spin, the extravagance for Spring/ Summer ’18 featured prismatic verts and metallic skateboards—a scintillating respite from MFW’s chaotic bustle. Evidently more youthful, Bulgari’s set-up for its latest collection was living proof that the luxury house has been drinking from the fountain of youth. Brick-lined walls were more downtown than uptown, while bright neon lights in the shape of heart-shaped tattoos suggested that love was in the air. Needless to say, this presentation was an ode to its younger clientele—the PYTs that have championed Bulgari’s playful arm candies, even on the streets of Milan. See: campaign star Bella Hadid with her irreverent take of sports luxe with a bejewelled Serpenti clutch, or Caroline Vreeland’s rock ’n’ roll twist with a band tee, paired with a Serpenti Forever bag. It seemed only natural for the Italian heavyweight to further propel its iconic Serpenti pillar to new heights. Throughout Bulgari’s miniature skate park, micro Serpenti Forever bags with studded detailing glinted in the neon-hued room. The new Pop Heart design on the Serpenti Forever—a nod to the classic “heart” tattoo—comes embellished with dramatic black onyx and silver enamel while another variation also took this idea to the nth degree; think exotic lizard skins, gold plated snake head closures, and intricately designed tattoo motifs—a combination so risqué even Kat Von D would be envious. Elsewhere, dainty studs adorn the collection’s Diva’s Dream bag, most strikingly on a sleek yet head-turning piece with the word “forever” spelled out in speckled metals. Consider it an instant cult must-have, when worn with fashion’s hottest Off-White boots and Vetements hoodie. Another contender? The jeweller’s collaboration with British footwear designer Nicholas Kirkwood, in which rubber-studded Serpenti Forevers came in the forms of backpacks and envelope pouches. Still, the collection’s elegant codes prevail. For those hungry for drama, its rainbow-hued python variations are more than just conversation starters—they’re guaranteed one-off pieces. In wisteria jade and white chalk Halo python skin, this whimsical revision also comes with a snake head closure—this time with matte black-and-white enamel, while black onyxes serve as its everwatchful eyes. Bulgari’s star-studded accessory collection and its exquisite craftsmanship can only be matched by its playful spirit; it is modernity against its Roman codes. In ancient Greek mythology, the serpent stands as a symbol of wisdom, vitality, and the circle of life. In Bulgari, it’s the symbol of heritage and by shedding its skin, the serpent has breathed a new life into the storied house—while rocking it, too.
J