London-based Greek designer Mary Katrantzou has been appointed by Italian luxury fashion house Bulgari as its first ever creative director of leather goods and accessories.
Bulgari have been in the fine jewellery space for more than a century, a House founded in Rome in 1884 by the talented Greek silversmith Sotirio Bulgari. So it feels particularly fitting that yesterday the fine jewellery House would appoint Mary Katrantzou as their first-ever creative director of leather goods and accessories, a fashion designer whose Greek heritage and influences run strong in her work.
"The rich cultural heritage and dual Greco-Roman roots of Bulgari have played an integral part of my formation as a designer," Katrantzou said of her appointment. "I've always been inspired by the design codes and syncretism of Bulgari, its mastery of colours and the depth of narrative."
“The rich cultural heritage and dual Greco-Roman roots of Bulgari have played an integral part in my formation as a designer,” Mary says of the new role. “I’ve always been inspired by the design codes and syncretism of Bulgari, its mastery of colours and the depth of narrative. I’m deeply honoured to be leading the creative vision for this new chapter and elevating everyday life into a form of art,” adds the designer, who is often dubbed, 'The Queen of Prints'.
In 2021, Mary was invited to join the ‘Serpenti through the eyes of’ series, which saw her reimagine Bulgari’s best-selling Serpenti Forever bag, which has been worn by Emma Roberts, Miranda Kerr, Olivia Palermo, Rosario Dawson and January Jones.
From there, building on the relationship between the two fashion houses, Mary worked on a second capsule collection elevating the much-loved bag with embroideries that were inspired by Bulgari’s high jewellery and watch collections.
Following the success of the two collections, Mary, who’s AW09 debut runway collection at London Fashion Week featured dresses with printed perfume bottles engineered around the female figure, designed the Bulgari Omnia perfume bottle and scent, in collaboration with master perfumer Alberto Morillas. Incidentally Beyoncé wore a bespoke surrealist perfume bottle dress for her Renaissance World Tour performance in London.
“Mary’s arrival as leather goods and accessories creative director makes us very proud,” says Jean-Christophe Babin, Bulgari CEO. “Mary shares with Bulgari not only the Greek origins, but above all the search for excellence in the choice of materials, the way in which they are transformed with a particular emphasis on craftsmanship and a passionate love for colours. We are certain that what we are starting with this visionary designer is a path full of success.”
