Time passes quickly and never more so than in the world of fashion, beauty, jewellery. It seems that I was writing about the yearly Bulgari launch only yesterday. The fashion industry chases after itself so determinedly that before one set of clothes, shoes, bags, jewellery are on our backs, they are heralding in the next season, the new collection. Even, now at the beginning of August, in this sweltering heat, the autumn stock is already in the shops. But a year has gone and once again it is summer and Sterling Diamonds launched the latest Bulgari collection at the Quaterdeck Bar Malta Hilton. Over two successive nights a number of guests and lovers of Bulgari jewellery were invited to cocktails and to view the latest edition of B.zero1 line for Bulgari. On the occasion of its 10th anniversary, the B.zero 1 line combines unexpected whimsical materials with precious metals and stones. This is an informal yet elegant jewelry collection that is designed around the spiral motif. This latest collection was designed by the well known name in architecture and design: Anish Kapoor whose mother, interestingly enough, was a Jewish immigrant from Baghdad. A whopping 1.5 million pieces have already been sold since the inception of this collection 10 years ago. Rings, pendants, earrings and bracelets were on display as well as watches and those who could afford them were trying them on and enjoying the experience.
Designs of this new collection launched for its 10th anniversary are re-styled versions of the line’s classic forms, created using 15 varieties of materials and combining them differently. An example of the different material combinations includes two externally geared rings with the traditional “BVLGARI BVLGARI” logo in pink gold in contrast to the spiral shape in white or black ceramic, inspired by Bulgari’s Chandra collection launched in 1994. It has, apparently, become the most successful collection in Bulgari’s history.
Anish Kapoor, the designer is based in London and his rings will serve as an inspiration for a sculpture the architect will create to be auctioned this spring. The proceeds will benefit Save the Children’s Rewrite the Future Campaign. This campaign has surpassed its initial goal and reached more than 10 million children in the first three years from 2006 through 2009. It has improved the quality of education for 10.6 million children affected by conflict and emergencies. Today over 40 million children are still denied a basic education because of conflict and many more don’t receive the quality education that is their right. Over the long run, as we know, education is integral to building peace and prosperity. With well-trained teachers and appropriate curricula, schools can leave a legacy for a generation of young people who will have skills for employment, an understanding of their rights and an appreciation for the rights of others. A truly worthwhile cause.
Anish Kapoor is a name known best for his explorations of “the Void” and his experiments with colour, scale and unusual materials. He is extremely talented and possesses an unusual vision to see objects in a different light. He is a recipient of many awards and honours and has traveled extensively around the world. His best known public sculptures include Cloud Gate at the Millennium Park Chicago and SkyMirror, a temporary installation at the Rockefeller Center New York.
In between glasses of wine and some delightful canapés guests were viewing the Bulgari pieces which also included some lovely pieces of the Parentesi Cocktail collection with its diamonds and multi-coloured gemstones. These pieces of jewellery are bursting with rich, candy colours.
I enjoy people watching and I must say every style and brand of killer vertiginous heels was on that floor. Many of us, even on much lower heels moan for days later about sore feet and toes that will never recover. Some had had their tresses ruffled by their hair stylist for the occasion while others had smoky eye make-up which looked very sultry in the evening light. Fashion lovers donned their glad rags for this evening while Cliff played the piano – some of his own compositions and some old favourites. Guests wandered onto the terrace for a cigarette and then wandered in again for another look at the jewellery. There were clients trying on some exquisite pieces and presumably purchasing some too. On these occasions one can catch up with friends and acquaintances while at the same time, finding out what is happening in the world of design.
The Bulgari trademark as is well known, is usually written in ancient Roman style. And if like me, you have wondered why Bulgari and why in this Roman style I discovered that this is because it is derived from the surname of the company’s Greek founder, Sotirios Boulgaris (1857–1932). Although the company made a name for itself with jewellery today it is a recognized luxury brand that markets several product lines including watches, handbags, fragrances, accessories and yes, even hotels.
It must be said that the world’s economy has taken a seismic jolt and department stores and fashion houses, as well as other businesses are having to face a different reality. But their job is to keep on persuading us that we need something new and something different, season after season. Another enjoyable Bulgari evening at Hilton Malta. Until next year.
Hot on the heels of the recent launch of Skin Doctors Vipertox, and Younger Hands which is said to do wonders for aging hands, Chemimart, ever energetic had another launch at The Palace, this time from Lancôme. This was an evening occasion and we met Ms Olga Christodoulidou, who came from Cyprus and is Technical Commercial Sypervisor for L’Oreal Luxury Products. L’Oreal has a mass market division but Ms Christodoulidou was representing the Luxury Products Division which focuses mainly on skincare, make-up and fragrances. One of these fragrances is Lancôme’s Trésor. You are certain to remember the Trésor publicity campaign with Ingrid Bergman’s daughter, Isabella Rossellini. The face of the 2007 campaign was Kate Winslet while Penelope Cruz is another fabulous face recruited by Lancôme. The photographer of this last campaign is none other than the celebrated Mario Testino This perfume was created 20 years ago and became a legend of haute parfumerie.
The knowledgeable Ms Christodoulidou also gave us a presentation of another Lancôme product in our battle for, if not eternal youth, but a respectable kind of aging: Génifique Youth Activator. Those who use it will find that while they sleep their skin is ‘repaired.’ After seven nights of use the skin is visibly repaired and rejuvenated. I have put it on my list of Christmas presents!
This presentation was followed by a lively and delicious dinner at The Palace’s Tempt Asian restaurant. By now everyone welcomes the thought of food and enjoyed the duck parcels, spring rools, chicken tandoori, the Peking Duck with pancakes and scallions and Indian Chicken Korma, until well into the night. We finished the meal with Mango Ice-cream with coconut banana fritters on a sweet potato compote. Well, I said to myself, these too, should help to improve your skin, even if not your waistline. It was another enjoyable evening in the name of Beauty.