THAT’S HAUTE

Widely regarded as one of the most important women in jewellery design of the 20th century, MARINA BULGARI left her family’s famed maison in 1976 to launch Marina B. We explore the world of Marina B.

Widely regarded as one of the most important women in jewellery design of the 20th century, Marina Bulgari left her family’s famed maison in 1976 to launch Marina B. The granddaughter of Sotirio Bulgari, Marina had an innate sense of design, as well as boundless energy and enthusiasm, all of which enabled her to forge a new path and find her true calling. Marina channeled her creativity into designing exceptional jewellery; unique, bold and timeless. She developed her own style, rooted in the Bulgari tradition, yet distinctive and highly recognisable.

Marina opened her first showroom in Geneva in 1978 and held exhibitions in Monte-Carlo, Gstaad and St. Moritz. She was an instant success and soon opened boutiques in Milan, Paris and New York. Her jewellery became a favourite of international jet set celebrities and royalty who helped make Marina B the must have jewellery for the world’smost fashionable women. She was also one of the first designers to create jewelleryfor women purchasing for themselves. Her signature designs, fine materials and exceptional craftsmanship appealed to a new generation of confident, stylish, successful women.

With over 25 years of experience, Guy Bedarida is a leading figure in the jewellery industry. He was the longtime head designer and creative director at John Hardy (1999 to 2015) and before that, worked at Van Cleef & Arpels, creating one of-a-kind pieces for celebrities and VIPs. He began his career at Place Vendome, most notably designing for Boucheron. His passion for sparkling finery goes back further to a youth spent between Paris, Rome and Tuscany. “I was surrounded by many beautiful things growing up,’’ explains Bedarida, whose father was from Paris and mother from Florence. My father was a cultural attaché travelling from embassy to embassy. Because of his job, I was exposed to painters, writers, architects..... Jewellery was an especially big part of my childhood. My mother inherited pieces from her family and my father would gift her the most exquisite jewels. I was fascinated by gemstones and the beauty of these little pieces of art.”

Marina B Today

MARINA B HAS A RICH HERITAGE AND A REPUTATION FOR SUPERBLY CHIC HIGH JEWELLERY OF IMPECCABLE DESIGN AND WORKMANSHIP. UNDER A NEW CREATIVE DIRECTION GUY BEDARIDA, MARINA B JEWELLERY IS EXPERIENCING A REBIRTH. NEW COLLECTIONS ARE INSPIRED BY MARINA’S SIGNATURE DESIGNS WITH INNOVATIVE, BOLD AND COLORFUL ELEMENTS FOR ANOTHER GENERATION OF MARINA B CLIENTS.

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