Bvlgari celebrates women with jewellery exhibition in Moscow

 

For over 100 years, Bvlgari has delighted with their exquisite high jewelry pieces attracting influential women such as Audrey Hepburn, Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan, Sofia Loren and Claudia Schiffer.

Bvlgari has taken over the Kremlin Museums to showcase a retrospective exhibition – Tribute to Femininity – that traces the history of female emancipation illustrating the evolution of women’s desires as the world around them progresses with time.

‘Tribute to Femininity’, which opened Sept 7, features more than 500 jewellery creations dating from the late 19th century to the 1990s, charting the evolution of the brand’s style and celebrating the charismatic women inseparably linked with the history of the brand.
The Italian luxury brand’s creativity, craftsmanship and exceptional stones will be on show in the exhibition halls of the Assumption Belfry and the Patriarch’s Palace, where Bvlgari has opened up its archives for visitors to discover exclusive pieces, never before seen on public display.

This exhibit, the first of its kind in Russia comprises over 500 high jewelry creatings dating from the late 19th century to the 1990s, charting the evolution of the brand’s style and celebrating the charismatic women inseparably linked with the history of the brand.

 

Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan’s Bvlgari gold and platinum necklace with turquoises and diamonds, 1957.

Items from Bvlgari’s Heritage Collection as well as from private collections from around the globe including items which have never been displayed in public before, like the famous Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan’s gold and platinum necklace and bracelet with turquoises and diamonds. Or the aquamarine and diamond tiara of the 1930s worn by the Infanta Beatriz of Spain on her wedding day. Highlights of the exhibition include La Dolce Vita’s Anita Ekberg’s cabochon sapphire and diamond parure, Gina Lollobrigida’s platinum set diamond and 21-carat pear shaped Colombian emerald earrings and Anna Magnani’s collection with the famed 25-carat yellow diamond Trombino ring, two platinum diamond brooches each adorned with a large pearl and matching pearl earrings.

Gina Lollobrigida’s Bvlgari platinum set diamond and 21-carat pear shaped Colombian emerald earrings

The exhibition also features an impressive collection of jewellery owned by the actress Elizabeth Taylor. No Bvlgari exhibit could ever be complete without her collection. By far one of the most conspicuous ever assembled; this collection features the actress’s famed Emerald Suite complete with the iconic diamond and Colombian emerald necklace with removable brooch, pendant earrings, bracelet and engagement ring given all gifts from Richard Burton. It also includes a turquoise and gold Egyptian revival mirror created for the film Cleopatra and an Art Deco sautoir necklace with 52-carat cabochon sapphire.

 

Bvlgari Tubogas choker with antique Roman coins.

Bvlgari’s history is closely related to such legendary women, reflected in the displays which include a considerable quantity of jewellery that expressed charismatic image and inimitable character. Bvlgari also accompanies its creations with photographs celebrating the femininity and style of the women who wore them.

Tribute to Femininity tells the story of the Roman Maison’s creative prowess, superb color combinations of stones and mastery of craft. From their Parentesi to their Monete and their Serpenti collections, Bulgari’s creations have become timeless icons treasured by all.

 

 

 

 

Mata Salamat’s Deep Friendship

After being elected Miss Lyon in 1929, then Miss France in Paris in 1930, beauty queen and a representatieve of France, Yvette Labrousse traveled to many countries around the world. She found herself particulary taken by Egypt and, in the late thirdies she moved to Egypt. There Yvette Labrousse met her future husband, the Sultan Aga Khan III, 48th Imam of the Nizari Shia Ismaili community, and they fell in love at first sight and married on 9 October 1944 in Switzerland. Then she took the name of Om Habibeh (Little Mother of the Beloved) and became Begum, fully Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan.

They settled in the Avenue Victoria villa ‘Yakymour‘ at Le Cannet, in the hills above Cannes. Her Higness La Bégum, who was nterested in the arts including classical music, opera and ballet, used to assemble the members of the Cannes film festival jury, and many national and international artists and movie stars. Some of them became friends for live. Like Kees van Dongen, Jean Cocteau, Sophia Loren, Maurice Chevalier, Gina Lollobrigida and Marlene Dietrich

Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan and painter Kees van Dongen. She wasn’t only Kees van Dongen’s muse, but with her husband’s encouragement, she also developed an active interest in painting and sculpture. Kees van Dongen made several portraits of Begum Om Habibeh and her husband.

Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan had a big heart for everybody. Also for people outside the Shia Ismaili community. She was dearly loved by her people because of her generosity to the poor, childern, women and the elderly, and, by her own husband as well. No matter what kind of religion, man or women, or even sexual oriantation, she was véry openminded and loyal. Yakymour and Nour el-Salam her home in Egypt, were both an open house.

Her Highness The Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan and  Jean Cocteau take part in la Bataille des Fleurs at la Promenade de la Croisette in Cannes on May 3, 1954. Her Highness The Begum Om Habibeh had a special relation with Jean Cocteau and his partner Jean Marais. They visit eachother often, and had a special and deep frienship.

Her Highness The Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan and  Jean Cocteau take part in la Bataille des Fleurs at la Promenade de la Croisette in Cannes on May 3, 1954.

Marlene Dietrich, Jean Cocteau and Her Highness The Begum Aga Khan III attend the dress rehearsal of Gilbert Bécaud’s ‘L’Opéra d’Aran’ at le Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris on October 26, 1962 (Click photo to enlarge).