Enameled scales flit across shield-style frames, while a snake’s head with malachite green eyes holds the ultra-flat lenses together. The sunglasses in Bulgari’s autumn/winter 2017 accessories collection pay homage to the Italian luxury label’s most iconic symbol, the serpent, taking the form of modern designs, with cutting-edge shapes and a vivid colour palette. Elsewhere, the house’s Diva fan-shaped pattern appears on the foldable closure of the new on-trend Dream shoulder bag. For the Mottled Python Diva range, each handbag is hand-polished using an agate stone to bring out the chiaroscuro effects of the black, bronze, green or gold leathers. The Quilted Diva handbag is more subdued, crafted from soft Nappa leather and dotted with metallic studs. The scarves in the accessories collection are lavish silk and cashmere affairs, designed by contemporary artists and then rendered by hand by Bulgari’s craftsmen. The main themes take in the serpent and the fan as well as introduce stars, polka dots and Eden garden motifs, all put together in a flurry of shapes, prints and colours. The sinuous fan pattern pops up again in the sunglasses, with cat-eye metal frames embellished with floral blossoms and a fan-shaped enamel on the arm. Also part of the collection is the limited stripes range, in the form of the Stripes Serpenti Viper and Serpenti Pony Stardust bags. The former takes its cues from Maori tattoos –black leather stripes cut across panels of tourmaline, ruby red, emerald green and sapphire shades. Leather stripes also offset chromatic colour combinations in the Stardust bag, which is crafted from calf leather that’s been dyed, laser-cut and assembled like a lively patchwork.
