This Iconic Style Dominated Awards Season in Time for its 75th Anniversary
The Bulgari Serpenti is arguably the most recognizable motif in the history of the jewelry world. This year, Bulgari celebrates its 75th anniversary, and awards season was dominated by celebrities wearing the style.
The Italian jewelry house was founded in Rome in 1884 by talented silversmith Sotirio Bulgari, who quickly secured Bulgari’s reputation for incredible craftsmanship. Over time, generations of the Bulgari family began to define their now instantly recognizable style. However, throughout their long history, few moments have been as significant as the creation of the first Serpenti jewelry in 1948, which marked the birth of a legend. Bulgari and the Serpenti motif have become synonymous over the years, but long before it was created, the snake motif was evident in humanity in nearly every culture. For millennia, the snake motif has symbolized wisdom, regeneration, healing, power, temptation, and rebirth, interpretations that are still part of modern culture.
Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of the Bulgari Group, commented on the occasion, “For 75 years, Bulgari has shown its audacious creativity, ingenious craftsmanship, and modern spirit through its emblematic Serpenti creations inspired by the jewels of Cleopatra, in a Rome of more than 2000 years ago. They convey endless tales, artistry, and empowerment. It expanded the boundaries of jewelry, reflecting the spirit of confident women and entering the world of art through exciting creative collaborations. It was and is the ultimate Bulgari icon of endless metamorphosis.”
Crafted using a brilliant technique called Tubogas, the Serpenti’s linked body is a work of master goldsmithing. The flexible tubular band of precious metal, inspired by industrial design, is obtained without soldering. Over the years, the Serpenti has been crafted in seemingly infinite variations. The head and eyes were adorned with diamonds and other precious gems, the scales sometimes covered in colored enamel or set with diamonds, and even a ‘secret watch’ with a dial obscured by the head. Serpenti jewelry includes earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces, and even belts. Their size, style, and number of times it coils around the body varies by design, but each piece has a Bulgari DNA that is undeniable and always recognizable.
“Reinterpreting Serpenti sign over and over without changing its identity is an inspiring challenge,” said Lucia Silvestri, Bulgari’s Jewellery Creative Director. “It is this perfect balance between its heritage and creativity evolution that has made the icon truly timeless and always in step with the times.”
As the Serpenti comes to its 75th year, Bulgari celebrates the occasion with an exciting new campaign and a global artistic initiative called The Serpenti Factory. Not to miss out on all the fun, celebrities have shown their love for Serpenti on the red carpet this season more than ever. Below is a recap of the stars and amazing Serpenti styles dominating awards season.
Saoirse Ronan at the 2024 Emmy Awards
Saoirse Ronan adorned her 2024 Emmys look with an epic diamond-encrusted Bulgari Serpenti Choker.
Lisa of BLACKPINK at the 2024 MTV VMAs
Lisa of the beloved K-pop group BLACKPINK has stepped out at the 2024 MTV VMAs for a solo appearance. Nominated for her song “Rockstar,” Lisa arrived wearing a hooded Mugler corset gown with gold and diamond Bulgari Serpenti jewelry wrapped around her neck.
Florence Pugh at the 2024 Oscars
Florence Pugh graced the red carpet at the 2024 Oscars, wearing a diamond encrusted Bulgari Serpenti necklace.
Victoria Monét at the 2024 Grammy Awards
“On My Mama” signer Victoria Monét arrived on the 2024 Grammy Awards red carpet wearing a strapless silk coffee brown Atelier Versace gown, diamond stud earrings, and a standout Bulgari Serpenti natural diamond necklace.
Anne Hathaway at the 2024 SAG Awards
Anne Hathaway looked radiant on the 2024 SAG Awards red carpet, wearing Bulgari High Jewelry, including a diamond Serpenti necklace and matching Serpenti brooch earrings. In a nod to her 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada, Hathaway wore an Atelier Versace gown that was “not just blue, it’s not turquoise, it’s not lapis, it’s actually cerulean.”
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival
An instantly-recognizable piece, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley looked stunning as always in Bulgari Serpenti at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.
Cara Delevingne at the 2023 Oscars
The model Cara Delevingne walked the red carpet wearing High Jewelry Serpenti Necklace in white gold with 2 pear-shaped emerald eyes and 63.85 carats of pavé-set diamonds, High Jewelry Serpenti bracelet in white gold set with 13.93 carats of pavé-set diamonds, and High Jewelry Serpenti earrings in yellow and white gold set with 3.87 carats of marquise-cut diamonds, pear-cut emeralds, and 2.76 carats of pavé-set diamonds.
Angela Bassett at the 2023 Oscars
Oscar nominee Angela Bassett wore the High Jewelry Serpenti necklace in white gold with 2 pear-shaped diamond eyes and 69.46 carats of pavè diamond, Serpenti two-coil bracelet in 18 kt white gold, set with full pavé diamonds, Serpenti Viper band ring in 18 kt white gold set with demi pavé diamonds, and Serpenti Viper wedding band in 18 kt white gold, set with full pavé diamonds.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge at the 2023 Oscars
Seen here in rose gold, Phoebe Waller-Bridge wore the High Jewelry Serpenti necklace in pink gold set with 2 Emeralds as eyes and 23.13 carats of pavé-set diamonds and the High Jewelry Serpenti ring in yellow and white gold set with 4.02 carats of marquise and brilliant-cut diamonds and round and pear rubies
Julia Garner at the 2023 Critics Choice Awards
Julia Garner paired her sheer red ensemble with a High Jewelry Serpenti necklace in pink gold set with emeralds and 12.16 carats of natural diamonds and a High Jewelry Serpenti ring in yellow and white gold set with 4.02 carats of marquise and brilliant-cut diamonds and round and pear emeralds.
Kerry Washington at the 2023 Critics Choice Awards
Actress Kerry Washington wore High Jewelry Serpenti earrings in white gold set with blue sapphires and 5.18 carats of pavè natural diamonds at the 2023 Critics Choice.
Kate Hudson at the 2023 Critics Choice Awards
Kate Hudson wore Serpenti High Jewelry earrings in white gold set with two pear shape diamonds of 2.03 carats, smaller pear-shaped diamonds of 5.52 carats, and pavé diamonds of 6.71 carats at the 2023 Critics Choice Awards.
Eve Hewson at the 2023 Critics Choice Awards
Eve Hewson wore a High Jewelry Serpenti Necklace in white gold with 2 pear-shaped brilliant-cut emeralds for eyes and 63.85 carats of pavé-set natural diamonds at the 2023 Critics Choice Awards.
Jennifer Lopez at the 2023 Grammy Awards
Jennifer Lopez went all out with her Sepenti diamonds at the Grammys, wearing a High Jewelry Serpenti Necklace in white gold set with 2 pear brilliant cut diamonds for eyes and 81.65 carats of pavé-set diamonds, High Jewelry Serpenti necklace in white gold with 2 pear-shaped diamonds for eyes and 69.46 carats of pavè diamonds, and High Jewelry Serpenti earrings in white gold set with blue sapphires and 5.18 carats of pavè natural diamonds.
Julianne Moore at the 2023 BAFTAs
Julianne Moore went bold with the High Jewelry Serpenti necklace in white gold set 2 pear emeralds for eyes and 37.04 carats of pavé diamonds.
Lashana Lynch at the 2023 BAFTAs
Lashana Lynch got creative with her Serpenti necklace wearing it backwards so the tail dripped down the back of her gown. She paired the High Jewelry necklace with Serpenti Viper earrings in White Gold with 2.08 carats of diamonds and the Serpenti Viper band in White Gold with 8.91 carats of diamonds.
Ariana DeBose at the 2023 BAFTAs
As the host of the 2023 BAFTAs, Ariana DeBose had a few outfit changes but started off the night wearing this High Jewellery Serpenti necklace in pink gold set with 2 Emerald eyes and pavè-set diamonds and a High Jewelry Serpenti bracelet in pink gold set with cabochon emerald eyes and pavé-set diamonds.
Emily Blunt at the 2023 SAG Awards
The High Jewelry Serpenti necklace in pink gold with a 2.20-carat oval diamond, step-cut marquise rubies, and 21.30 carats of pavé-set diamonds made its way onto the 2023 SAG Awards red carpet on Emily Blunt along with the Serpenti Viper earrings in 18 kt rose gold set with pavé diamonds.
Simona Tabasco at the 2023 SAG Awards
The White Lotus star Simona Tabasco went for a daintier look wearing the Serpenti Viper 18 kt white gold necklace set with pavé diamonds, the Serpenti two-coil bracelet in 18 kt white gold, set with full pavé diamonds a Serpenti bangle bracelet in 18 kt white gold, set with blue sapphire eyes and pavé diamonds and a Serpenti Viper 18 kt white gold earrings set with pavé diamonds.
Queen Latifah at the 2023 NAACP Awards
As the host of the NAACP awards, Queen Latifah had a few outfit changes, but the standout was this ensemble featuring the High Jewelry Serpenti necklace in white gold with 2 pear-shaped diamond eyes and 69.46 carats of pavè diamonds and the Serpenti High Jewelry Earrings in white gold set with two pear shape diamonds of 2.03 carats, smaller pear-shaped diamonds of 5.52 carats, and pavé diamonds of 6.71 carats.
Selena Gomez at the 2022 SAG Awards
Selena Gomez attended the 2022 SAG Awards, wearing a Bulgari Serpenti natural diamond choker.
Eiza González at the 2021 Met Gala
Eiza González attended the 2021 Met Gala wearing a gold and natural diamond Bulgari Serpenti cuff on her wrist.
Bella Hadid at the 2017 Met Gala
In 2017, Bella Hadid traipsed up the iconic Met steps in a black second-skin black mesh Alexander Wang catsuit with Bulgari Serpenti high jewelry diamond wrap bracelets on each wrist and matching diamond Serpenti earrings.
Naomi Watts at the 2015 Golden Globes
Naomi Watts wore a bright yellow strapless Gucci dress to the 2015 Golden Globes, teamed with her favorite Bulgari Serpenti snake diamond necklace weighing in at over 77 carats — she had previously worn similar styles several times before.
