All Designs Lead to Rome

The ancient Romans were master architects, credited with having perfected the arch, the amphitheatre, and the aqueduct. The grandeur of their achievements lives on today in Rome, the Eternal City, not just in the physical traces they left behind but in the living artistic traditions that continue to adorn beautiful cities and the people who populate them.

Haute jewellery brand Bulgari is one of those Roman torchbearers, carrying on a 2000-year-old tradition of style, craftsmanship, and divine geometry. From a ring inspired by the grandeur of the Roman Colosseum to the Latin lettering of the brand’s logo, Bulgari assimilated many aspects of the Eternal City’s imperial past and architectural aesthetics into its timeless design heritage.

The iconic company was founded in 1884 by a brilliant silversmith named Sotirio Bulgari, and it didn’t take long for the young jeweller’s creations to gain popularity. In 1905, Bulgari opened his flagship store on the Via Condotti, a street that begins at the foot of the Spanish Steps in Rome. The company headquarters remain there to this day.

By the 1950s, Bulgari’s sumptuous designs made the brand synonymous with glamour, and the store became a meeting point for Hollywood stars and socialites. Elizabeth Taylor and Ingrid Bergman also helped popularize the brand in the United States by frequently wearing the colourful gem-laden necklaces that have become a hallmark of the company.

Today, Bulgari’s ancient Roman aesthetic still lies at the core of the House’s spirit—albeit propelled into the modern day. Whether in Bulgari’s refined high jewellery pieces or technologically advanced watches, Roman architectural geometries come alive and gain a vibrancy all their own through the interplay of colourful gems, precious metals, and fine craftsmanship.

A notable example of this distinctive style is Bulgari’s signature curved, polished cabochon cut, which recalls the classic gleaming domes that crown Rome’s majestic structures.

The brand’s renowned four-band ring named B.zero1, part of the Tubogas collection, echoes the strong lines of the Colosseum with its spiralled levels. The ring also features the Latin alphabet logo on each side.

The fan shape of the Divas’ Dream collection was inspired by the mosaics of the Baths of Caracalla, with a diamond solitaire, mother of pearl, and channel-set diamonds, all in 18-karat rose gold.

The latest Octo Roma watch collection brings an unprecedented fusion of Roman architecture, Swiss mechanics, and Italian design.

The octagonal shape recalls the 4th-century coffered panels of the Basilica of Maxentius. Following in the footsteps of Rome’s ingenious architects, Bulgari’s watchmakers used the octagon to whittle the watch down to its leanest expression possible while still retaining its grandiose design.

Bulgari’s product creation executive director, Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani, sums up the brand’s vision: “Germans like to say that form follows function. For Italians, beauty follows function.” For Bulgari, ancient inspiration meets modern innovation in a celebration of Rome’s cultural heritage and the timeless beauty of its designs.