Italy knows how to celebrate in style. In honor of the 150th Anniversary of the Unification of Italy—the merging of the Italian peninsula’s individual states into a single republic—Beverly Hills played host to La Dolce Vita, a weeklong celebration.
The Italian Ministry of Economic Development, the Italian Trade Commission and Cinecittà Luce joined forces with the Rodeo Drive Committee and the Beverly Hills Conference and Visitors Bureau to create the elaborate celebration of the Unification of Italy. From June 18-26, special events and offerings centered on Italian automobiles, cycling, fashion, jewelry, food and film were held throughout the city.
On Brighton Way, Vhernier presented their latest collection of Laguna Rings, characterized by significant yet soſt lines, curvy and ergonomic in design.
But the real gem of the week was the “Gioiello” Promotion, celebrating Italian jewelry, during which designs from the best Italian jewelers on Rodeo Drive and in Beverly Hills were on display. Organized by the Italian Trade Commission, the Gioiello event featured luxe pieces from GEARYS Beverly Hills, Buccellati, Bulgari, Vhernier and Damiani, as well as Ben Bridge Jewelers, a longstanding Italian jewelry partner who joined in the celebration at their store in Santa Monica Place.
The kick off for the weeklong celebration took place at GEARYS Beverly Hills on June 18, while more than 200 shoppers browsed among the high-end baubles sipping cappuccino and noshing on authentic Italian desserts. The Italian jewelers participating in the event included Antonini, Buccellati, Mariani, Marilù Fernandez, Marina e Susanna, Nanis, Versace and Zydo. But the real centerpiece of the event was a classic yellow Ferrari, balanced on just four porcelain Richard Ginori espresso cups.
Beyond the luxurious Italian fabric and Tuscan urns that lined the windows of the Buccellati store in Beverly Hills, guests were offered complimentary Italian prosecco. Nearby at the Bulgari store, shoppers indulged in classic Italian beverages like prosecco and white wine as they sampled delicate Italian pastries and antipasta.
More than 800 customers who stopped by the store during the week’s promotion were eligible to enter to win a gold carbon watch—a piece with a bold, sophisticated style and meticulous attention to quality characteristic of the “Made in Italy” brand. On Brighton Way, Vhernier presented their latest collection of Laguna Rings, characterized by significant yet soſt lines, curvy and ergonomic in design.
In keeping with the theme of the celebration, prosecco was poured at Damiani, where the jeweler on June 25 unveiled the Damiani Limited Edition Belle Epoque Timepiece, an eighteen-karat white gold watch featuring an impressive array of jewels in honor of the 150th Anniversary of the Unification of Italy.The boutique also displayed the collection designed by Damiani for Ferrari, Maserati and Ducati.
At Ben Bridge Jewelers, which boasts the most Registered Jewelers and Certified Gemologists of the American Gem Society (AGS) of any jeweler in the country, eleven exquisite Italian lines were showcased, including designs by 7AR, Alpa Oreficerie, Blu Oro, Di Luca, DML, Le Gi, Linea Italia, Maria De Toni, RDR Gold Jewelry, Rezzadore and Silo. At the Ben Bridge store in Santa Monica on June 23, Italian music set the mood to a special cocktail reception at which guests were offered authentic Italian prosecco and antipasti. If it sparkles, chances are it made an appearance at La Dolce Vita, to all things Italian and haute.
