Photographed by Paul Paredes
It’s a gilded age and a story of being reborn for Bulgari Studio as it unveiled the revival of its signature motif through the Tubogas collection
The neighborhood of Williamsburg, by the side of East River, was once a site for the scent of molasses and refined sugar crystals. Housed in the waterfront of the New York borough, the Domino Sugar Factory-turned-Skylight at The Refinery aptly mirrors the industrialist roots of Bulgari’s Tubogas motif.
In New York Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2025, the historic venue, which has also experienced its own revival, was the location for the rebirth of the Roman jewelry brand’s Tubogas collection. Overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge, the glass-walled venue, welcomed an exclusive guest list, including Dakota Johnson, Naomi Campbell, Paris Jackson, Martha Hunt, and Olivia Culpo.
Called “Bulgari Studio Takes Over New York,” the relaunch was introduced through a digital campaign by multi-disciplinary artist Antoni Tudisco with his signature surreal style. Inside The Refinery, Berlin-based light artist and designer Christopher Bauder and his team at WHITEvoid reinterpreted the coils of the Tubogas into an installation called “THE WAVE,” a kinetic light sculpture of 252 moving lights, creating dynamic shapes and patterns inspired by movement in nature.
The name Tubogas, for what would be the Roman jewelry brand’s signature, is Italian for “gas pipe.” It might seem an unexpected choice for inspiration for jewelry, yet it reflects the industrial origins of the design. The cast iron tubing, one that is joined and fitted in the 1920s, was reimagined into a jewelry technique by Bulgari by wrapping long bands of gold around a core, creating a flexible, coiled structure without solderin. First introduced in the Serpenti jewelry-watch in 1948, this technique became a signature style for the brand, making waves with its serpentine silhouette.
In its 2024 iteration, the 16-piece collection revitalizes its Art Deco legacy, pairing traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics with the revival of the yellow gold motif, a return to the post-war favorite when scarce materials turned gold into a staple of style. Lucia Silvestri, Bulgari’s creative director for jewelry, notes, “From vibrant combinations with color contrasts, to triangular studs in gold and diamonds, the Bulgari Tubogas collection presents offerings to approach younger generations.”
In the Philippines, the Tubogas collection was similarly feted with style in its Greenbelt 3 boutique in Manila, bringing together actresses Nadine Lustre, Chie Filomeno, Kyline Alcantara, content creator LA Aguinaldo, and designer Mark Bumgarner. In an all-black ensemble, Lustre added a touch of Tubogas elegance to her outfit, while Filomeno and Alcantara showcased the collection’s versatility in contrasting yet complementary styles.
The new Tubogas pieces feature four bracelets in varying styles, from pure 18-carat yellow gold to bold, diamond-studded designs. Standalone or stacked, the collection also features a necklace and a sleek choker, some adorned with gemstones like tanzanite and green tourmaline, each framed by artful geometry.
In the Philippines, Bvlgari is located in Solaire Manila Resort & Casino, Greenbelt 3, and NUSTAR Mall, Cebu City. For more information, visit Bvlgari’s official website.
