Bulgari x Thélios: the Spirit of Italian Dolce Vita, Excellence and Exquisite Craftsmanship

Beauty is in the details. Luxury aficionados and industry insiders know that behind every pair of sunglasses, there is exquisite craftsmanship and unique know-how. In the case of LVMH group, the world leader in luxury, it’s Thélios, the eyewear expert, who is responsible for mostly all the sunglasses and optical frames of the Maisons (think Dior, Fendi, Celine, Givenchy, Loewe, Stella McCartney, Kenzo, Berluti and Fred). The newest member to join the Thélios eyewear family, starting from the Spring-Summer 2024 season, is Bulgari, whose frames are now crafted in Manifaturra in Longarone, Italy.

Inspired by the iconic jewellery creations of the Roman Maison, the new frames celebrate powerful, self-confident and strong women, who are not afraid to take their destiny into their own hands. For example, the Serpenti Viper line features bold cat-eye and butterfly shapes, and honours the timeless charm of the mythical snake through distinctive and precious details, playing with the legendary icon’s eyes, head and geometric scales. Here, the scale elements that mimic similar motifs in the fine jewellery collection of the Maison, include a higher percentage of gold, for a more precious and shiny result faithful to the famed Serpenti jewellery icon. Proving that when it comes to Bulgari, it’s much more than an eyewear accessory, it’s a real gem that will adorn your everyday life.

The references to the legendary jewellery lines are omnipresent in the eyewear collection. For instance, the daring B.zero1 eyewear family is an ode to the new Millennium, a true emblem of pioneering design. Named after the iconic jewellery creations, these designs showcase a B.zero1 signature trim with enamel on the temples, echoing iconic Roman epigraphy. Another hint to the Roman jeweller’s heritage, this design is embellished with facets on the end tips, mimicking a snake’s head, a Bulgari icon.

Finally, the Serpenti Forever line, inspired and named after the best-seller Serpenti bag’s clasp, features a precious snake head on the hinge, adorned with hand-applied enamels - using in the universe of eyewear the very same technique rooted in the jewellery craftsmanship. Mindblowing.

Courtesy: Bulgari

Text: Lidia Ageeva