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. 

Cara Delevingne at the Oscars

The model 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 Oscars

The Oscar nominee 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 Oscars

Seen here in rose gold, 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 Critics Choice Awards

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 Critics Choice Awards

The actress wore High Jewelry Serpenti earrings in white gold set with blue sapphires and 5.18 carats of pavè natural diamonds.

Kate Hudson at the Critics Choice Awards

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

Eve Hewson at the Critics Choice Awards

Jennifer Lopez at the Grammy Awards

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

J. Lo 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 BAFTAs

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 BAFTAs

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 BAFTAs

As the host of the BAFTAs, 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 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 red carpet on Emily Blunt along with the Serpenti Viper earrings in 18 kt rose gold set with pavé diamonds.

Simona Tabasco at the SAG Awards

The White Lotus star 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 NAACP Awards

As the host of the NAACP awards, 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.