#ChristmasWishes: Serpenti Winter Holidays Collection by Bulgari

Of all reptiles present in the world, serpents have the biggest bragging rights when it comes to their relationship with human. 

In certain cultures such as the ancient Roman and Greek, serpents represent many values of life such as fertility, wisdom, knowledge, energy, vitality and immortality.

A creature of mystery, the sight of serpents oftentimes concoct a cocktail of multiple perceptions: fear due to its venomous and sometimes, strangling nature; curious on how it moves around without legs; enchanted by the gracefulness of its slithery movement; and awed by the beauty of its lustrous scaly skin that glimmers beautifully under bright lights.

Sometimes, serpents represent temptations, alluding from the epochal epic of the human genesis, Adam and Eve. In this timeless story, passed down transcending generations, the serpent tempted Eve to bite into the delightful flesh of the forbidden fruit.

Adam followed suit and before they knew it, the couple was driven out of the Garden of Eden and into the world, where they procreate and gave birth to what is known as the human race, today.

This Christmas, let yourself fall under the hypnotic spell of Bulgari’s iconic Serpenti motif with Bulgari’s Winter Holidays Collection.

First thing’s first: What is Bulgari?

Bulgari was founded by Sortirios Voùlgaris (later known as Sortirio Bulgari), a Greek watchmaker and jeweller in Rome circa 1880s. 

In 1905, Bulgari opened his first store in Rome at Via Condotti and he never looked back. 

For more than 130 years, Bulgari has been adoring the world’s famous figures with precious yet distinctive jewels. Today, Bulgari is a full-fledge Italian maison of luxury lifestyle with vast portfolio of offering including leather goods, fragrances, timepieces and hotels across the globe.

You’ve mentioned that Bulgari has adorned world’s famous figures. Who are they?

One of Bulgari’s eternal “fan girls” was silver screen siren late Elizabeth Taylor. Taylor’s love affair with Bulgari (the maison) ― by the way of her Cleopatra co-star and lover Richard Burton ― has never been a secret. 

In the early 1960s, Taylor was seen wearing a Serpenti watch with moveable head under which the dial was nestled. The head is adorned with diamonds and emeralds.

What is the story behind Serpenti?

The Serpenti range was conceived back in the 1940s, starting with the Serpenti watch. Using tubular bands of precious metals known as “spirotubes” or “tubogas”, Bulgari was able to reproduce the fluidness of a snake’s scale. 

Through time, the watchmakers of Bulgari were able to fine-tune the pieces with remarkable flexibility. In fact, Bulgari was one of the first jewellers of the 20^th century to create watches with coiling bracelets that can twist up to seven times around the wrist!

Apart from watches, what are Serpenti’s other incarnations?

Like other Bulgari styles such as Bulgari Bulgari and Octo, the Serpenti is also reincarnated into other products including high and fine jewellery as well as eyewear. 

The Serpenti handbag line has been tremendously well-received. What’s more, the appointment of supermodel du jour Bella Hadid as poster girl of the range has propelled the range’s popularity to a new height.

I’ve known a number of jewellers who also produce leather goods. Yet, what’s so great about Bulgari bags?

At Bulgari, regardless of product range, thorough attention is given to every aspect of production. 

In Serpenti’s case, the bags are handcrafted by skilled craftsmen starting from pattern-cutting stage right to the finishing touch. 

Unlike most mass-produced bags that take a fraction of time to produce, it takes between 10 to 20 hours to craft a Bulgari handbag from scratch. So, what you’ll get with Serpenti is timeless sophistication with 130 years of well-honed craftsmanship.

If I own one of these bags, what will set me apart?

First, it will be the attention-catching serpent head closure ― the ubiquitous feature of the Serpenti handbag range. The serpent head closure is made of light gold plated brass hardware with shiny black and glitter silver enamel. On the other hand, the serpent’s eyes are made of semi-precious stones such as onyx or malachite. A lot of man hours were spent to craft the head closure, alone!

The starbursts on the bags ― does that mean I can only wear it during Christmas?

Girl, don’t be absurd! Actually, the winter star quilting brings forth a touch of Roman magic to it. Besides, you don’t need the holidays to tote this bag. 

As long as the theme of the party is glamour or if you were in the mood to outshine the “it girls”, they are ready to elevate your look from just another party girl next door to paparazzi darling!

What’s the best way for me to bring out its “full potential”?

One of the best ways is to pair your Serpenti with either a Serpenti watch or fine jewellery collection. But a dress fully drenched in sequins is certainly a match made in fashion heaven!

Oh no, I’m already in love with Serpenti. How many colours does it come in?

For the Winter Holidays collection, the bags come in black, silver, gold and metallic red. Moreover, it also comes in several styles so you will be spoiled for choices.

Where can I get them?

The Bulgari Serpenti Winter Holidays Collection is available now, exclusive to all Bulgari stores across the globe.

*Photos courtesy of Bulgari

Bulgari – G23, Ground Floor, Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur; Lot 2.23 and 3.25, Level 2 and 3, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, 168 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur; G237, Ground Floor, The Gardens Mid Valley, Mid Valley City, Lingkaran Syed Putra, 59200 Kuala Lumpur; Lot STAP A04, Passenger Level, Satellite Building, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, 64000 Sepang, Selangor.