ROOTS RADICALS
Bulgari revisits its Roman heritage to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the B.zero1 collection – with the vim and vigour that has come to be expected of the iconic maison
ulgari is perhaps one of the most recognisable brands of our time, with the lofty goal of dominating across a variety of areas in the industry without compromising its unwavering confidence and unruffled Italian attitude. As time surges on, it has become a name beyond memorable. Bulgari boasts staying power, having survived and thrived throughout the decades, spreading its talents far beyond watches and jewellery into accessories, fragrances and even hotels. You won’t be able to drive through a city worth its salt without seeing the brand splashed across a gargantuan billboard, take your seat on an airplane without a reminder on the screen in front of you, flip through a magazine without seeing some familiar jewellery designs adorning some of the most recognised celebrities in the world, or waltz through life without hearing about yet another incredible hotel property opening soon.
Here, we’re zeroing in on Bulgari’s bread and butter – its jewellery sector and in particular, the B. zero1 collection. Inspired by the iconic silhouette of Rome’s magnificent Colosseum, with its sensual, fluid curves, B. zero1 has proven globally popular. Since its launch in 1999, it has all but dared to defy the norms of jewellery design. It’s simple yet strong, and informal yet elegant, radiating the very heart and soul of the Tubogas in a modern fashion. Back when more lithe bands were used to highlight diamonds or various other semi- precious stones, the B. zero1 took an entirely new approach by focusing on shape and form. It was Bulgari’s aim to design a collection that was incredibly chic and special, yet subtle enough for daily wear.
Now, 20 years on and with more than two million B. zero1 rings sold to date, Bulgari has decided to take this collection to new heights. Since its inception, it has engaged with luminaries including sculptor Anish Kapoor and the late, great Zaha Hadid on special editions that breathed new life into the already iconic design. The latter, known for her daring architectural marvels, lent her signature style to the ring for the B.zero1 Design Legend and it is seen once again, with a sleek black or white ceramic inner core.