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PAPERCITY PROMOTION Bulgari Giorgio W hen Giorgio Bulgari decided to follow in his family's footsteps and enter the jewelry industry, it wasn't a decision he took lightly. As the son of Gianni Bulgari of the famed jewelry dynasty, Giorgio was born in New York City and grew up in Rome. He was creative director of Italian jewelry company Marina B, founded by his aunt Marina Bulgari, and prior to that, Giorgio collaborated on the Salvatore Ferragamo debut fine jewelry collection. After building his experience and eye working for historic Italian luxury brands, he launched his namesake jewelry company in 2017, designing for a private clientele. With the launch of his Giorgio B collection, deBoulle is the first U.S. jeweler to carry the collection. And, while the Giorgio B studio overlooks the Old Town in Geneva and the jewels are expertly crafted by master goldsmiths in Italy and Switzerland, Dallas can experience the beauty and craftsmanship at a trunk show at deBoulle Friday, May 10. Here, Giorgio discusses the bold collection and why he's inspired by automobiles, streamlined design, and modernist furniture. The weight of a family legacy. Giorgio Bulgari: Being the fourth generation to enter a field definitely carries a certain weight to it. I've been steeped in jewelry and design since my childhood. But, at the same time, I want to leave my own mark. It's striking that balance of doing things a certain way, but also my way. Getting to Know Your jewels, in your words. GB: They're certainly never dull, featuring bold volumes and striking angles as I translate rational beauty into the jewels. M y u n i q u e p i e c e s b r i n g s t ro n g , contemporary Italian design sensibility to the traditional world of precious jewelry, injecting classic jewelry forms with powerful, modernist principles influenced by Italian industrial design. Inspiration. GB: Some of my biggest influences have been cars, streamlined design, watches, modernist furniture, and nature. In keeping with this inspiration, I also choose materials for comfort and practicality, using black ceramic instead of onyx, for example, for an asymmetrical, modernist diamond ring, and preferring geometric cuts of gemstones. I love working with rose gold, as it's complementary to skin and gemstones alike. I definitely have a proclivity for stones with character and warmer-colored diamonds, particularly those from old mines. Among the recent unique-piece designs is an octagonal red spinel on an asymmetrical band with black ceramic that leaves only a gold outline framing the stone. If I had to choose. GB: The Goccia ring presents a bold, voluminous, yet streamlined geometric form, while the bangle fuses a subtle retro flavor with striking modernity. The stylized Palma earrings, inspired by 19th-century botanical prints of palm leaves, play with the light and texture of gold in a way that I find more modern than diamonds. The crisp fan-shaped lines exude intense sun-drenched energy. Thoughts on retail stores vs. e-commerce. GB: I'm adamant about starting with physical retail — it's essential to my designs. I know e-commerce is likely inevitable down the line, and physical retail may be a bit out of touch with today's landscape, but it's part of who I am and my education, and I bring this to the client experience. When the stars align. GB: I've been lucky to catch the eye of some well-known clients such as Sharon Stone, who wore a pair of my palm-shaped earrings to this year's Vanity Fair Oscar after-party. Meet Giorgio Bulgari at deBoulle for a special trunk show on Friday, May 10. Jewelry priced from $5,000 to $50,000. deBoulle 6821 Preston Road 214.522.2400 Giorgio Bulgari Above, from left: Pink sapphire and diamond ring. Goccia cuff in black enamel and rose gold. Palma rose gold ring. Below: Palma diamond earrings. 38