“Bvlgari – The Story, The Dream”, a retrospective exhibition at Palazzo Venezia and Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome showcases Bvlgari’s most stunning jewels

On June 26th Bvlgari inaugurated its new exhibition Bvlgari – The Story, The Dream. The two-part exhibition at the Palazzo Venezia and Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome retraces the history of the Maison through some 170 jewels, archive photos and films, as well as haute couture dresses that illustrate trends during different periods in Bvlgari’s scintillating past.

The exhibition at Bvlgari – The Story, The Dream unfolds at two separate venues, Palazzo Venezia and Castel Sant’Angelo, two of the Eternal City’s most iconic sites. At the Palazzo Venezia, the story begins with founder Sotirio Bulgari, who arrived in Rome in the late 19th century, looking back at the immense success that Bvlgari has enjoyed since its creation. Castel Sant’Angelo showcases jewels worn by the many movie stars who loved Bvlgari, along with Bvlgari icons such as the  Serpenti, Monete and Parentesi collections.

At both venues, Bvlgari – The Story, The Dream is illustrated by photographs and vintage film clips from the archives, as well as newspaper articles that spotlight social trends that were unfolding around the Bvlgari adventure. The exhibition brings together some 170 jewelry creations from Bvlgari archives and private collections, retracing the evolution of the company from a small family-owned business to a global luxury brand.

The Bvlgari story is recounted in the broader context of the rise in popularity of Italian fashion and design, with its unique combination of originality, manufacturing excellence and rich traditions. The jewels are joined by 80 haute couture dresses from the private collection of Cecilia Matteucci Lavarini, a collector of haute couture and Oriental pieces, offering an elegant counterpoint to the style, illustrating the taste and trends of the different periods covered by the Bvlgari story.

Bvlgari – The Story, The Dream was inaugurated with a press conference at Castel Sant’Angelo with Bvlgari Chief Executive Officer Jean-Christophe Babin, followed by a tour of the exhibition at both venues. Guests were then welcomed to the Palazzo Venezia before a cocktail party on the terrace of Castel Sant’Angelo, followed by a fireworks show.