Mary Katrantzou

Bulgari welcomes Mary Katrantzou as the new Creative Director of Accessories and Leather Goods. Her role is a first for the jewelry maison, signifying a unique union between the designer and the Roman fashion house, rooted in their common Greek heritage.

Mary Katrantzou x Bvlgari Limited Edition Serpenti collection

Who’s Mary Katrantzou ?

A story of elective affinities exists between the designer and the Roman fashion house, united by their common Greek origins. It's no surprise that the role was created specifically for her. Based in London, Katrantzou made a name for herself immediately after graduating from Central Saint Martins in the late '90s, specializing in digital printing, a novelty in the industry at the time. From the outset, she has shown a fascination with jewelry. Her graduation collection, bought by the London department store Browns, featured hyper-realistic images of trompe-l'oeil necklaces. The dresses from subsequent collections have been compared to Fabergé Eggs. Her new Bulgari mandate extends from leather day bags to silk and high jewelry handbags. "When does something, already considered an ornament, become a functional element? And what can we do in this intermediate space?" Katrantzou wonders. "This is where the incredible Bulgari archive comes into play. Studying the originals, trying to understand how they can be transformed and conceiving this category as a creative laboratory to achieve this result... For me, it's incredible."

Villeroy & Boch

Back to the Origins

Katrantzou's connection with Bulgari dates back to 2019 when the Italian jewelry company lent her its precious necklaces, bracelets, and earrings for a fashion show held at the Temple of Poseidon in Athens. Cate Blanchett wore a sensational dress with a jewel-studded bodice from the collection, matching her blonde hair, at the 2020 Golden Globes. The relationship between Katrantzou and the Roman brand deepened in 2021 when she designed a capsule collection of leather bags and jewel minaudières inspired by the famous Serpenti motif: Mary Katrantzou x Bulgari. But the elective affinities between Katrantzou and Bulgari have deeper roots. Like the designer, the founder of the Roman company, Sotirio Bulgari, was Greek. Katrantzou remembers a coffee table book about the history of the maison owned by her mother, who was an interior decorator and had a rich library. Additionally, she received a Bulgari watch from her father as a graduation gift. "Mary's arrival makes us very proud," said Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of the maison, in a statement. "She shares with Bulgari not only Greek origins but also, and above all, the pursuit of excellence in the choice of materials, the way they are transformed, paying particular attention to craftsmanship. Not to mention her passion for colors."