BVLGARI
My team was charged with designing and promoting the opening of “Bulgari & Rome: Eternal Inspiration”; an exhibition to highlight the influence of ancient Roman architecture on the storied jewelry house's designs.
ServicesConcept & Creative Direction
Media Strategy
Environmental Graphics
Guest and Press List
Invitations
Location Scouting
Logistics
Vendor Management & Coordination
Execution
Photography: Leandro Justen & Neil Rasmus/BFA.com
Production: Prentice Cultural Communication
Creative Director: Bettina PrenticeBVLGARI & Rome: Eternal Inspiration
The exhibition, held in the client's Fifth Avenue flag ship store, showcased a selection of 40 iconic pieces curated from the brand’s archive.
The exhibition opening was to be followed by a lavish promotional dinner. I was tasked with designing all aspects of the event to compliment the theme of the exhibition.
The Challenge
I designed the evening based on the ancient roman festival of the cult of Bacchus, "god of wine, freedom, and ecstasy."
I secured the neo-classical James B. Duke House, an outpost of NYU's art history department, as a venue. The space had rarely been used for events due to its listed status and stringent insurance requirements.
The Strategy
The Prentice team was charged with designing and promoting the opening of “Bulgari & Rome: Eternal Inspiration”; an exhibition to highlight the influence of ancient Roman architecture on the jewelry house's design aesthetic.
The exhibition, held in the client's Fifth Avenue flag ship store, showcased a selection of 40 iconic pieces curated from the brand’s archive.
The exhibition opening was to be followed by a lavish promotional dinner. I was tasked with designing all aspects of the event to compliment the theme of the exhibition.
The Implementation
For floral design, I was inspired by the richly detailed garden frescoes in the Villa Livia in the Roman suburb of Prima Porta. The evening's arrangements included pomegranates, ripe figs, which guests were encourages to eat, as well as citrus tress, lush laurel and ivystrands.
The decor palette was based on the deep, earthy tones of Roman frescoes; base colors of Burnt Sienna and Pompeii Red with accents colors of brilliant malachite greens and deep azurite blues found in ancient glass.
Gold-etched glass tableware was flown in from Italy for the occasion. Napkins were handem broidered Turkish linen. The dress code was defined as "diaphanous" and a stylist was on hand to assist guests to work jewels into their elaborate Etruscan hair styles.
To complete the scene, original ancient busts and an antique Roman mosaic were loaned from a museum for the night.
The Result
The Bulgari event was a striking blend of luxury and storytelling, designed to leave a lasting impression on an elite audience. The immersive experience reinforced the brand’s heritage while aligning it with a new generation of tastemakers. Every element—from the bespoke environment to the curated programming—was strategically crafted to amplify brand desirability.
The guest list featured top-tier celebrities, fashion icons, and influential creatives, generating immediate buzz across social platforms. Organic content from VIPs and influencers extended the reach of the event far beyond the venue, positioning Bulgari at the center of the cultural conversation.
The Impact
The event drew press coverage from top-tier fashion and luxury publications, while the elevated design and thoughtful brand storytelling created a lasting impression on clients, tastemakers, and industry insiders.
