Discover Bulgari’s Icons Miniaudières Collection
Five timeless symbols have been reimagined as precious objets d'art meant to carry culture, not objects
Bulgari raises the bar on the glamorous evening bag with the launch of Icons, five styles of limited edition miniaudières available in two sizes—neither large enough to hold a smartphone. This intentional design decision by Mary Katrantzou, creative director of leather goods and accessories, only adds to the assortment’s beguiling character. Yet what stands out most is the savoir faire utilized, including lost-wax molding, hand-enameled painting, and pavé settings.
“This collection celebrates the living heritage of Bulgari’s Icons, symbols that have transcended design to become part of our cultural language,” says Katrantzou. “Each minaudière was conceived not simply to hold objects, but to hold meaning, blending high craftsmanship with cultural storytelling. Carrying culture in your bag is both a metaphor and a reality, a way of cherishing the wisdom of women.” To further blur the line between handbag and jewelry, these elegant creations are distinguished by inlays of colored stones such as amethyst, tigereye, mother-of-pearl, and malachite, then finished with a cabochon on the clasp.
The accompanying Carrying Culture campaign, photographed by Ethan James Green, stars Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Linda Evangelista, Kim Ji-won, Isabella Rossellini, and Sumayya Vally. Under the creative direction of Verderi, each of the women embodies one of the Icon miniaudières and the values it represents. “We are honored to have five extraordinary women lend their voice to our Icons and, through their lived experience, give new dimension to their symbolism, transforming heritage into a living dialogue,” says Katrantzou. “That is the culture that we create, we carry, and share.”
A version of this article first appears in print in our 2026 Spring issue under the headline “Carried Away.” Subscribe to the magazine.