Finance | News
| Paris, 2 April 2024
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
In a move signaling a new era for the historic luxury brand, Bulgari has announced the appointment of visionary designer Mary Katrantzou as the first Creative Director of leather goods and accessories.
Katrantzou, renowned for her innovative use of digital printing and mastery of trompe-l’oeil, is expected to bring a fresh perspective to Bulgari‘s centuries-old heritage, rich with 140 years of history.
Born in Greece and based in London, the designer’s journey has intertwined with Bulgari, deepening her affiliation with the brand since her remarkable Spring/Summer 2020 haute couture runway show, presented in 2019.
It seems entirely fitting that Bulgari, a name synonymous with Roman heritage and Greek influences, would choose Katrantzou, a designer who also has her roots deeply embedded in Greek culture.
Commenting on her appointment, Katrantzou stated, “Bulgari’s rich cultural heritage and Greco-Roman roots have played an integral role in my formation as a designer. I am deeply honored to be Bulgari’s first Creative Director of leather goods and accessories, leading the creative vision for this new chapter and elevating everyday life to the realm of art.”
Mary Katrantzou’s affinity for Bulgari’s design principles, including their exuberant use of color and narrative depth, is well-documented.
Her previous work, often likened to the intricate beauty of Fabergé eggs, resonates with Bulgari’s commitment to craftsmanship and luxury.
The announcement follows a successful collaboration between Katrantzou and Bulgari in 2019, which saw the brand lending her jewelry pieces for a fashion show held at the Temple of Poseidon in Athens.
The partnership deepened the following year with a capsule collection of leather handbags and jeweled minaudieres inspired by Bulgari’s iconic Serpenti motif.
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin expressed pride in welcoming Katrantzou into the Bulgari family, highlighting their shared Greek heritage and mutual pursuit of excellence in material choices.
Babin also emphasized alignment in their love for vibrant colors and high-quality craftsmanship.
In a touching personal note, Katrantzou recalls Bulgari’s influence on her life, recalling a Bulgari watch gifted by her father upon her graduation.
Her move to Athens at the start of the pandemic and the birth of her son seem to have brought her back to a starting point, aligning her personal journey with the new professional adventure at Bulgari.
Katrantzou’s first collection for Bulgari is slated to be available in stores worldwide in August 2024, eagerly awaited by the fashion world.
She is expected to bring her distinctive blend of functional and ornamental design to the venerable house of leather goods and accessories, questioning and exploring the space between utility and decoration.
Finally, it is worth noting Katrantzou’s recent contribution to the Hellenic Olympic Committee, as she designed the costumes for the “Priestesses” who will light the Olympic Flame for the Paris 2024 Games.
These costumes, inspired by Ancient Greece, highlight her role not only as a designer but also as a cultural ambassador, bridging the gap between past and present, tradition and innovation.
As Katrantzou steps into her role at Bulgari, she carries the torch of a creative visionary who understands that at the intersection of art and life, there is a world of design waiting to be explored. Her journey with Bulgari promises to be as rich and vibrant as the designs she is known to create.
As Andy Warhol said, Bulgari is “the most important museum of contemporary art.”
And with Katrantzou at the creative helm, the narrative of this museum is poised to unveil exciting new chapters.
What will be Mary Katrantzou’s creative direction for Bulgari’s leather goods and accessories?
Mary Katrantzou, with her illustrious background in trompe-l’oeil and digital printing, will bring a unique fusion of art and functionality to Bulgari’s new range of leather goods and accessories. Inspired by the brand’s Greco-Roman heritage and her own Greek heritage, Katrantzou plans to explore the duality between utilitarian objects and their ornamental potential. Expect designs where color, shape, and visual storytelling intertwine unexpectedly to transform everyday accessories into wearable works of art. The inaugural collection, slated for August 2024, promises to bring a fresh vision while remaining true to Bulgari’s characteristic craftsmanship excellence and luxurious aesthetic.
Image credits : Bulgari
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