Vogue India July 2016

BULGARI THE SNAKE
The Italian goldsmiths are known for their
colourful gem combinations and obsession
with the snake. A symbol of rebirth and
eternal renewal, the serpent, or Serpenti,
has been constantly revived since the
1940s. It was fi rst glimpsed in the trendy
Tubogas watch, a supple, coiling bracelet
with a rounded dial as the head. With each
passing decade, a metamorphosis took place,
shedding and ornamenting the scales with
bright enamels, diamonds, precious gems
and ceramic, without losing the ethos of
Bulgari. “We have reinterpreted this powerful
motif over time in a more abstract or realistic
manner, in tune with the fashion trends of
the epochs and by keeping its seductive
allure unaltered,” explains Paolo Bulgari,
chairman of Bulgari Group and grandson
of founder Sotirio. There were several
memorable moments in the ’60s—US
editor Diana Vreeland famously
wore a white enamel and sapphire
Serpenti belt around her neck a
a bold fashion statement.
In 1962 Elizabeth Taylor, a
devotee of the brand, wore
her emerald-eye version o
sets ofCleopatra. Filming c
Condotti flagship, she was a
store, acquiring some of
storied pieces. Despite H
Bollywood ambassado
Moore, Rachel Weis
Kareena Kapoo
Kapoor, Bulgari’s reach
red carpet, with noteworthy na
Bruni and indie singer Florence Welch,
wore an armful of Serpenti bracelets
in a 2012 music video.Q

‘Serpenti’

sapphires and

polychrome

enamel set in

gold belt, 2010

Former US

Vogue editor

Diana Vreeland

famously wore

the ‘Serpenti’

belt around her

neck in 1980

___________

ORANGE

You can spot

an Hermès box

from a mile away,

with its juicy hue

and brown trim.

______

RED

Cartier’s plush

leather cases

come with

gilded borders.

_______

BLUE

This perfect pastel has

been coined the Tifany

Blue, and the box, with

white satin ribbon, holds

treats by Tifany & Co.

_________

GREEN

A fl ash of

deep forest

complements

Rolex’s gold

crown logo.

PACKING A PUNCH

What’s on the outside counts as much as the inside. Take a peek into some of the most recognised luxury boxes

The longest ‘Serpenti’

bracelet coils seven

times around the wrist

A high jewellery

rendition of the

snake is hand made

at the Italian atelier

Elizabeth Taylor

on the set of

Cleopatra wearing

her ‘Serpenti’

watch in 1962

‘Serpenti’ emeralds

and polychrome

enamel set in gold

bracelet-watch, 1967

http://www.vogue.in VOGUE INDIA JULY 2016 145

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