Interview with Jean-Christophe Babin
#diary#Nataly
Nataly Osmann

Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin and I met up during the gala dinner devoted to his jewelry brand as part of the Milan fashion week. Honestly, this man completely charmed me with his gentleman manners, sharp businessman look and a gentle smile of man who is always confident about what he is doing. We had an interesting chat with a small history lesson in it!

Nataly Osmann: I am very glad to meet you! I won’t lie if I say that Bulgari is one of my favorite brands. I would like to learn a little bit more about your strategy for the next season? What will you pamper me and other fans of the brand with?

Jean-Christophe Babin: In the new season we paid close attention to the world’s history and heritage. Rethinking the origins we were looking for inspiration in the past. I am fond of signs and symbols of the Ancient history. Recently I’ve been to Rome in order to dive into the atmosphere of the Antique era; I went to museums, Coliseum, and climbed the Platine Hill. I find these motives interesting, and you would be able to see them in our new collection.

Nataly: Oh, I’m totally with you!I love antiquities.

Jean-Christophe Babin: Yes, Rome is endlessly big. Universal city. Rome is Rome for everyone: Chinese, Russian, Finnish, Brazilians. We’ve got our inspiration from this city, integrating our clients to this era, this culture. We let them be a part of the great history. Moreover, all of our items besides watches are made in Italy: we produce leather in Florence and cut gems in Valencia. We want to show our customers how talented Italian craftsmen and craftswomen are.

Nataly: Are there any other countries which inspire you as much as Italy?

Jean-Christophe Babin: To be honest, I travel a lot, searching for inspiration… You can find something interesting and unique anywhere in the world, but personally I feel attracted to Asia.

Nataly: Really? I feel the same way!

Jean-Christophe Babin: I love Asia for its diversity. There you can witness different religious and traditions coexisting together. Every European traveler gets charmed by Asia.

Nataly: Totally agree! By the way, recently we’ve traveled a lot around Asia and I brought a piece of jewelry from every country I visited as a part of its culture.

Jean-Christophe Babin: That’s it! You’ve got right to the point of the jeweller’s craft. Jewelry is always the second thing after the local cuisine, which travelers notice about a new country.

Nataly: Right!

Jean-Christophe Babin: But the most interesting thing is, that despite the variety of jewelry motives and trends people all around the world are fascinated by gold and diamonds, so in a way a jeweler is the most universal profession in the world. You work with something which will be in demand even after many years past.

Nataly: Which accessories do you pay attention to first?

Jean-Christophe Babin: Certainly jewelry. When I meet someone I look in their eyes and earrings are the closest pieces of accessory to that eye level, so they always attract my attention.

Nataly: And which accessories should a man wear?

Jean-Christophe Babin: Of course watches!

Nataly: By the way, yours are very nice.

Jean-Christophe Babin: Thank you, it is from Octo collection of Bulgari, which was inspired by Rome.

Nataly: And the last question! As you may know #FollowMeTo project grew up on social media, can I ask: do you use Instagram? And what do you think about the fact that social networks dictate fashion trends now?

Jean-Christophe Babin: I have a private Instagram account for my friends and family. You know Italy is a small country and I don’t want to expose my life or life of my close ones to everyone. However, recently I was thinking about creating professional account. You know, I am a spontaneous person and I think having private and professional account may teach me some discipline. I really like communicating with people and sharing my emotions and wonderful moments, so why not? Maybe I’ll become a top rate blogger soon, who knows!

Where are we right now?

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