I n July of 1930, Marina Bulgari was born in Rome, Italy, the newest member of a family whose name is synonymous with luxury: her father, Costantino Bulgari, was the first child of BVLGARI jewelry company founder Sotirios Voulgaris.
BVLGARI was a constant in Marina’s life, growing up. When her grandfather, Sotirios, passed away in 1932, Marina’s father and uncle, Giorgio, took over the family business. Marina developed a passion for art, design and mathematics at a young age and, after graduating from Saint Mary’s College in England, returned to Italy to begin contributing her designs to the BVLGARI studio. Marina's understanding of jewelry style and proportion made her an asset to the brand, and, in time, she opted to step out on her own. In 1977 Marina founded her own, signature jewelry brand: Marina B.
Marina opened the first Marina B boutique in Geneva in 1978, and more soon followed in Paris, Milan and New York. In choosing the name "Marina B", Marina hoped to set herself apart from her family's name and sterling reputation. And in no time, Marina B's bold designs, which incorporate geometric lines and sloping curves with boldly colored gemstones and diamonds, earned Marina her own success.
Indeed, Marina's designs perfectly captured the glitz and glamour of the 1980s, attracting a worldwide audience, including a number of celebrities: Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Grace Kelly were all known to wear Marina B to complement their red carpet gowns.
Almost 45 years after Marina B founded her eponymous brand, her distinct style remains as contemporary as ever. And muc'style remains as contemporary as ever. as the celebrities of the '70s and '80s graced the red carpet in her creations, her aesthetic continues to appeal to today’s stars, including Rihanna, Alicia Keys and Jennifer Lopez. Her bold designs continue to inspire Marina B’s modern creations, which continue to push the boundaries of jewelry design while respecting the Bulgari family’s extensive jewelry lineage.
