Photo: Courtesy Bulgari
In the open-air core of Dubai’s famed Gate Building, a first-of-its kind exhibition in the Middle East has been unveiled by Italian luxury house Bulgari. Titled The Bulgari Serpenti 75 Years Of Infinite Tales, the exhibition has found its new home in the heart of the emirate’s bustling financial district after traveling across cities including Milan, London, Madrid, Shanghai, and New York, opening its doors to the UAE public from September 15 through September 24.
“Dubai is a success story for Bulgari in terms of creative desire, and it’s booming. The UAE, Saudi Arabia… this whole region is really on fire, and to be in DIFC [the Dubai International Financial Centre] is amazing because it’s the first time that a brand is exhibiting here,” says Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin who is no stranger to the city’s cultural landscape. In addition to being a much sought-after brand in the UAE, Bulgari has partnered with Dubai Art and with Expo 2020 Dubai on a range of initiatives in recent years. There is also the Bulgari Resort & Residences in Jumeirah Bay, a key property in the company’s luxury hospitality collection since 2017. While the resort would have perhaps been a more obvious location for the Serpenti exhibition, Babin points out that this would have been a missed opportunity to further enmesh the Bulgari in the local fashion and art scene. “We wanted to pay tribute to Dubai architecture and Dubai landmarks,” he explains.
The exhibition itself recognizes the 75th anniversary of Serpenti as one of the most recognizable symbols not just for the luxury house, but in the world of jewelry as a whole. To celebrate, Bulgari has launched the Serpenti Factory, an artistic initiative centered around the snake as an endless source of inspiration and an indelible part of the company’s heritage. The allure of the motif dates back to the era of Cleopatra, beguiling artists, writers, and poets alike across…
