Bulgari unveils the exclusive capsule collection of handbags designed by the British fashion designer Matthew Williamson for the 2011 Spring/Summer season.
The boldly modern, even futuristic spirit that underlies the collection is most clearly expressed in geometric lines, visionary kaleidoscope prints, maxi jeweled details and intensely powerful colors that lend a ‘tropical urban’ essence to the line.
Leathers and fabrics for the capsule collection
The color palette chosen by Williamson, predominantly green, blue and pink, reflects the tonalities of the most prized stones and metals, which in turn ignite the more daring and intense colors of the bespoke kaleidoscope prints that pay homage to the exotic atmospheres and plays of color for which the British designer is renowned.
The collection offers an emotional journey of the senses, the result of an insightful cross-contamination of the signature features and core strengths of Matthew Williamson and the Bulgari brand.
The collection features a line of calfskin hobo bags with braided leather handles and a line of calfskin clutches for day to evening, each available in two different sizes, matching with a small range of coordinated wallets.
Small hobo bags in embossed calf leather with braided leather shoulder strap and diamond shape closure
Small clutches in embossed calf leather with diamond shape closure
Wallets in embossed calf leather with diamond shape closure
The hexagonal motif embossed onto the leather gives all four models a look of contemporary vitality, echoing the dynamic heartbeat and architectural geometry of the modern metropolis.
Leather embossing for the capsule collection
The oversize jeweled closure, finished in light gold, palladium or ruthenium and set against the nuanced surface of the leather, reproduces the form of a diamond, radiating a soft luminosity from every bag.
Details of the diamond shape closure for the capsule collection
The palette is composed of richly saturated colors like blue sapphire, rubellite pink, emerald green and bronze, while a fine, sinuous chain, inspired by the serpentine forms that often recur throughout Bulgari’s collections, becomes the distinguishing feature of the shoulder strap clutch.
The folds of the matching lining come alive in three seductive kaleidoscope prints – emerald palm, sapphire galaxy and crystal butterfly.
Quality control of the medium clutch
The line of city totes captures all the dynamism and velocity of metropolitan life, with its rhythm marked out by appointments, shopping and weekend getaways, and transforms it into a selection of contemporary bags realized in a special glossy coated canvas that ensures maximum durability and versatility. The bold color palette, inspired by jewel tones of rubellite, emerald and sapphire, is carried through these tote bags, which feature the three statement kaleidoscope bespoke prints and are trimmed with fluorescent fuchsia, green and electric blue patent leather.
City totes in kaleidoscope-print canvas and fluorescent patent leather
A selection of original, vintage-inspired minaudières completes the collection. The model pays homage to the precious evening bags produced by Bulgari in the early 1950s, a must-have accessory for the fashionable ladies of the time. The hexagonal form, which alludes to the geometric motif subtly embossed on the calfskin bags, is wrapped by fine silk printed with the three bespoke kaleidoscope patterns and graced by a snake chain shoulder strap.
Hexagonal minaudières in kaleidoscope-print satin with snake chain strap and diamond shape closures
The exclusive “capsule collection”, which represents Bulgari’s first partnership with a fashion designer for an accessories collection, was entirely realized, in close collaboration with Matthew Williamson, at the Florence Accessories Atelier, where all of the Bulgari leather products are created and crafted.
The Matthew Williamson for Bulgari Spring/Summer 2011 capsule collection will be available at Bulgari stores starting from January 2011.
