Bulgari’s Artisans Take Center Stage at Artigianato e Palazzo

Florence’s historic Giardino Corsini once again hosts Artigianato e Palazzo, one of Italy’s most prestigious showcases for fine craftsmanship, running September 12–14, 2025. Now in its 31st edition, the fair gathers 100 master artisans from across Italy and Europe, uniting heritage skills with contemporary creativity.

This year’s Mostra Principe — the main exhibition — is dedicated to Bulgari, the Roman maison founded in 1884 and today part of the LVMH group. Under the title “Icone da indossare: quando l’accessorio diventa racconto” (Icons to Wear: When Accessories Tell a Story), Bulgari brings to the Loggia del Buontalenti a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the savoir-faire of its Tuscan leather goods atelier.

The Florentine workshop

Since 2009, Bulgari has operated a 5,800-square-meter leather goods workshop in southern Florence, employing 130 people, including 45 dedicated artisans. Normally closed to the public, the atelier is renowned for transforming rare leathers and precious details into the maison’s signature “jewel bags.”

During the three-day event, six artisans will demonstrate their craft in real time: cutting exotic skins, stitching refined details, and assembling closures, chains, and metallic hardware that are finished with the same precision as Bulgari’s jewelry. Among the highlights is the recreation of the Serpenti Cuore 1968 bag, whose heart-shaped design and snake-handle reference the legendary Serpenti watches and jewels of the late 1960s.

A dialogue between tradition and innovation

Since 2024, Bulgari’s accessories division has been led by Greek-born designer Mary Katrantzou, who shares cultural roots with the maison’s founder, Sotirio Bulgari. Her approach bridges symbolism, history, and modern luxury.

“More than a simple accessory, a Bulgari bag is an icon of symbolism, celebrating the convergence of history, art and innovation,” Katrantzou explains. “These creations are imbued with meaning, designed to inspire and to carry the stories of those who wear them.” 

Each bag is conceived with the same rigor as a jewel: gem-setting techniques inspire the treatment of clasps and chains, while Bulgari’s mastery of color is reflected in the choice and pairing of leathers. The result, Katrantzou notes, is an elegance that transcends trends and seasons.

A wider celebration of craft

Beyond Bulgari, Artigianato e Palazzo continues its mission to champion craftsmanship across fields — from ceramics, jewelry, wood and glasswork to textiles and gastronomy. The 2025 edition includes new sections such as “Artigiani Golosi” (dedicated to artisanal food), the collective exhibition “MACRO” curated by Cosimo Bonciani, and “Delizia”, a monumental site-specific installation by artist Edoardo Piermattei in the central avenue of the garden .

The event, founded in 1995 by Giorgiana Corsini and Neri Torrigiani, also maintains a strong social dimension, with initiatives supporting young artisans and cooperatives working on inclusion projects.

If you go

• Dates: September 12–14, 2025
• Location: Giardino Corsini, Via della Scala / Via il Prato, Florence
• Hours: 10:00 am – 7:30 pm
• Admission: €10 suggested donation; free for under-30s registered with Unicoop Firenze, and selected categories on Friday morning. Tickets also grant free access to the Museo Ferragamo during the fair.

Cover photo: The Corsini Garden, venue of the Artigianato e Palazzo exhibition in Florence. Photo by Dario Garofalo

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