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!