Buccellati celebrates 100 years of its Rome boutique
For the occasion, an exhibition of creations from the 1920s and 1990s and a special edition of the Magnolia brooch. Meanwhile, the maison continues its expansion in the world
2' min read
2' min read
"This is our only shop that has always been here, even the furnishings and display cases are original": there is understandable pride in the words of Nicolas Luchsinger, Buccellati's CEO, in Rome to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the boutique at 31 Via Condotti opened in 1925 by Mario Buccellati, the maison's founder. It was he who wanted those distinctive features of the sign with his surname, in that 'barocchino' that evokes the family's goldsmith's art and that tourists and residents have admired for their originality for a century.
For the occasion, the shop is hosting (until 31 December) an exhibition of archive creations from the 1920s to the 1990s, with iconic pieces such as the Furry collection creations and minaudière, but also the extraordinary rock crystal necklace ordered by D'Annunzio (a friend and admirer of Mario Buccellati) for Eleonora Duse, the 1970s necklace in emeralds and sapphires designed for Jacques Couëlle, the architect who designed the Costa Smeralda (where Buccellati was one of the first to open a boutique) and the parure designed by Federico Buccellati, to whom his father Mario directed the opening of Rome.
Beloved by the stars of Cinecittà, "today it is frequented by many foreigners, especially Americans, even more than in Milan," explains Maria Cristina Buccellati, the founder's niece and the company's communications manager. In the shop window, also for the occasion, shines the tiara designed by Mario himself in 1925, and a necklace with malachites commissioned in the same years by the famous baritone Titta Ruffo for his sister.
Also celebrating the shop's first century is the new version of the Magnolia brooch with diamond pistils, a gemstone symbol of eternity, an evolution of those recently presented at the 'Flowers' exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in London, with pistils in coloured stones, all creations by Andrea Buccellati, at the creative helm of the family maison.
Since 2019, Buccellati has been part of the Richemont group, which has chosen to maintain or entrust family members with key roles in the company. A successful strategy, comforted by the brand's fast growth: even if the Swiss group (which closed the 24-25 fiscal year with revenues at +4% for 21.4 billion and profits at +16.8%) does not release figures for its individual maisons, the openings of new shops are eloquent: after Venice and the doubling of the flagship of Milan last year, earlier this month Buccellati opened its second store in Dubai and the first in Seoul, and Florence and Abu Dhabi are on the way. To meet the growing demand, the company is also investing in expanding its ateliers: "We are training many young goldsmiths, it is a profession for which there is a lot of interest," continues Maria Cristina Buccellati. "At this time of slowdown in luxury, jewellery is doing very well because it represents a value that is handed down," adds the CEO. "And we benefit even more from this situation thanks to our history and the recognisability of our style.
