Jonny Hyam and Ilana Henderson

Magpie

Shiny rocks, big frocks and beautiful people. Henry Hopwood-Phillips takes stock of Bulgaris new Diva Collection.

Heaven
Loredana Edwards Rafael Utiyama and Alexandra Bond Elliott

orporate events often have all the personality of a librarian unions weekend away in Wales. Usually empty and when they are not its people networking (an awful practice that has irrevocably removed the pleasant notion that people might actually talk to others for pleasure) or slowly torturing small talk up against a wall. Turning up early in the rain did little to dispel these nasty little thoughts that often pepper my large even nastier head. Thankfully, I was, as usual, utterly wrong. My prejudices were initially curbed and trammelled by Bulgaris PR, Violet. Instead of an adamantine gaze that insisted a thought had never transgressed its path, the delightful brunettes thoughtful commentary on both Bulgaris backstory (set up by a Greek, Sotirios Voulgaris, in Rome towards the end of the 19th century) and the new Diva Collection, was utterly fascinating. Not that she had a hard task. What a collection! I am a man. I am heterosexual. I do not set great bones by style (thats a lie). The jewellery should not appeal to me. But it did. Its easy to blame the Bellinis but it wasnt those. Inspired by the film stars of the 1950s and 1960s who had Bulgari stones dripping from them at every opportunity: Ava Gardner, Elizabeth Taylor (think Cleopatra), and my crush from The Fall of the Roman

Amanda Bond Elliott

What a collection!... The jewellery shouldnt appeal to me. But it did

Empire: Sophia Loren. A fan shape and a playful Egyptian rhythm vie with floral motifs in combinations that look as wearable as they are striking. Showcasing the jewels was the resplendent Amanda Bond Elliot, chair of the Belgrave Square committee. Whilst delivering a sparkling speech to hushed locals (I espied Edward Sahakian, Daniel Galvin jnr. amongst others in the crowd) I couldnt help notice a coruscative light flickering out, a brilliant contrast to the black number she wore. After a generous raffle and goody-bags my thoughts turned to the fact people seemed to be leaving. There are few corporate events that are so enjoyable they require an after-party. Perhaps the best endorsement I can give is that this one did. 176-177 Sloane Street, SW1X 9QL 020 7838 8815 (bulgari.com)

From top: Victoria Bond Elliott and Stephen Sobey Robert Kennedy and Olga Kennedy. Amir Ali Farman Farma and Alexandra Bond Elliott

Robert Kennedy
B E L G R AV I A R E S I D E N T S J O U R N A L

Alexandra Bond Elliott and Loredana Edwards Ilana Henderson, Rafael Utiyama, Stephen Sobey

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