Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Bulgari Auction at Christie's


Tonight, for the reporters, it was about which celebrities would grace the red carpet at Christie’s and Bulgari jewelry’s fund-raising event in New York. For Christie’s, the renowned auction house by Rockefeller Center, it was also about how much money they would take in at tonight’s auction.
And for Bulgari, it was a celebration of the jewelry company’s 125th anniversary, and a chance to give back by raising funds for Save the Children. Celebrities in attendance included Grammy Award-winning singer Ricky Martin, model Esther Canades, actresses Morgan Fairchild and Jessica Lange, and fashion designer Mary McFadden. Canades wore a diamond necklace and diamond earrings by Bulgari, while Fairchild wore Bulgari drop diamond earrings.
Most celebs posed for photos on the carpet at the entrance to Christie’s, as did Nicola Bulgari, the company’s vice chairman, and his wife Beatrice Bulgari.

Proceeds from tonight’s auction of jewels valued at up to $4 million will go to the nonprofit organization’s Rewrite the Future campaign, which helps children in war-torn countries get an education.
Mr. Bulgari said: "It really does help" for celebrities to come out to support an auction like this. "We're also very proud to do something for the world in a difficult moment.

In the end, the Dec. 8 event was for patrons of both Christie’s and Bulgari to bid on the collection of 11 one-of-a-kind jewels and seven timepieces.

For me, the piece de resistance was a multi-colored sapphire and diamond necklace, valued at more than $1 million, which Bulgari’s promotional material describes as: “an openwork, tapered bib.”