Objects Of Desire

Bvlgari’s jewellery creative director Lucia Silvestri tells François Ooosthuizen why the high jewellery collection, Magnifica, is the house’s most precious to date.

- Francois Ooosthuizen

For aficionados, collectors and avid admirers of Bvlgari’s iconic high jewellery, Lucia Silvestri has become synonymous with the colourful gemstones and astounding designs they are set in. After all, she became the protégé of Paolo Bulgari over four decades ago, accompanying him on trips to exotic parts of the world in search of the most flawless gemstones. When the Bvlgari jewellery creative director talks about her passion for gemstones and jewellery, her eyes light up like greenish-blue sapphires.

In 2019, I’d interviewed Silvestri in her atelier in Rome – the inner sanctum of jewellery creation at Bvlgari. This time, we meet again at a virtual “gems table” discussion, joined by a handful of editors from Asia-Pacific. The conversation focuses on her inspiration, as well as the new Magnifica High Jewellery and High-End Watches collection launched in June during a two-day event in Milan. Showcased were some 350 masterpieces that expressed Bvlgari’s Roman DNA, creativity and its 137 years of experience and expertise. The collection counts at least 60 pieces valued at over €1 million (S$1.6 million) each, in addition to 122 never-before-seen works of art.

“This is my beautiful gems table; full of gemstones, and of course, full of energy,” Silvestri kicks off with a sweeping gesture over her desk, filled with precious stones of all sizes and colours. “Everything starts from this table – Magnifica did too, over a year ago. With this collection, we wanted to pay tribute to all the magnificent women in the world, drawing inspiration from different women in different eras in history.”