FOLLOWING on from last year’s glittering collaboration with Yoon Ahn, creative director of Ambush, Bulgari has enlisted London-based Greek fashion designer Mary Katrantzou to reinterpret the House’s Serpenti Forever in a limited-edition capsule collection for the latest chapter of the Serpenti Through the Eyes Of saga.
Known for her paradisiacal prints and structured silhouettes, Katrantzou has infused her maximalist style into the iconic Bulgari Serpenti, reimagining the sign with couture-informed techniques and jewellery-inspired touches.
‘‘I wanted to first think about what Serpenti meant to me, through my own eyes,” said Katrantzou. “Serpenti to me is a symbol of femininity, transformation and rebirth, it’s symbolic nature dating back to Ancient Roman and Greek mythology. The Serpenti sheds its skin to allow for further growth and this idea of metamorphosis became the inspiration for our collaboration. Everyone experiences their own journey of growth and we all go through some type of metamorphosis through life. It is the reason Serpenti holds so much meaning.’’
Inspired by the transformative nature of the snake, Katrantzou has designed three new styles, each an astounding feat of craftsmanship.
The Serpenti Metamorphosis bag – available in a bold monochromatic emerald-green, black, cream and rose-pink – features a flutter of jewelled butterflies that requires over 4o hours of hand embroidery.
The collection also includes the Serpenti Metamorphosis Handle bag in supple nappa leather, each elevated with a golden S-shaped Serpenti handle, and the mesmerising Serpenti Metamorphosis Minaudière, the collection’s hero piece. Taking inspiration from the 1968 Bulgari Harlequin watch, the Minaudière features a forked tongue fastening, droplet crystal eyes and reflective hexagonal scales in hand-painted enamel.
Lensed by Hugo Comte, the accompanying campaign imagery stars supermodel Natalia Vodianova in bespoke gemmed bodysuits Katrantzou made specially for the shoot.
“Once we decided that the theme of the collection will be metamorphosis, I felt the campaign also needs to be centred around a woman who embodies the notions of femininity, evolution and rebirth. I immediately knew Natalia had to be the face. We both felt it would be wonderful to also partner with her charity, the Naked Heart Foundation to support their cause and communicate with our collaboration about the power of design to be meaningful,” Katrantzou concluded.
“Her grace, generosity of spirit and compassion embodied all the values Bulgari and I stand for. She is a mother, a wife, an entrepreneur and a philanthropist and to me that’s the face of strength.”
by Joshua Hendren
The Mary Katrantzou x Bulgari capsule collection will be available in selected Bulgari boutiques worldwide and on Bulgari.com from April 15
Online pre-orders are available here
