Italy / 1884-Present
Bvlgari
Leaving your home behind for a better life is a story that runs through many family trees. For the Bvlgari family, we can thank their ancestor Sotirios Voulgaris for his foresight. Born in the Northern Greek town of Paramythia in 1857, during Ottoman rule, Sotirios witnessed instability and poverty. Inspired by his grandfather’s trade in silversmithing, he decided to pursue the profession himself. In time, he left Greece and made his way to the Eternal City.
There, he established himself in the centre of Rome, creating silver keepsakes for tourists on the Grand Tour. His two sons, Constantino and Giorgio, worked alongside him as he began delving into goldsmithing. Sotirios eventually adapted his surname to the Latinized spelling Bvlgari, a subtle nod to classical Rome. The family’s work grew in reputation, and their bold, distinctive aesthetic quickly became synonymous with Italian luxury. They became celebrated jewellers, dressing Hollywood stars and attracting patrons from around the world. Richard Burton, husband of Elizabeth Taylor, famously remarked that the only word Liz knows in Italian is Bvlgari.