A Guest Tries on a BVLGARI Necklace

BVLGARI celebrated the grand opening of its largest store in the U.S. with a magnificent in-store fete on March 2, 2010, hosted by Nicola Bulgari, Vice Chairman and grandson of founder Sotirio Bulgari, and USA Managing Director, Veronica Trenk.

As one of the most anticipated social events of the season, it was covered by media throughout the country including Women’s Wear Daily, Fashion Week Daily, Examiner.com, Haute Living, SFGate.com, SFBayStyle, and the San Francisco Chronicle.

Charlotte Schultz (in Chanel) with Nicola Bulgari

Guests at the spectacular Union Square event numbered over 350, and included Mayor Gavin Newsom, Dede Wilsey, Denise Hale, Vanessa Getty, Willie Brown and Sonya Molodetskaya, Marissa Mayer and Zack Bogue, Tatiana and Serge Sorokko, Alan Malouf, Bita Daryabari, Kate Harbin, Alexis Traina, Alex Mehran Jr. and Maggie Rizer, Sloan and Roger Barnett, Cameron Silver, Maria Manetti Farrow, and OJ and Gary Shansby, JUST to name a few.

Marissa Mayer is Assisted by a BVLGARI Representative

Grey Goose cocktails, inspired by BVLGARI’s signature fragrances, were served at the event as VIPs and guests explored the gorgeous new store, while enjoying music from The Patrick Wolff Trio and DJ Max Chipchase.

Cameron Phleger Sparkles at the BVLGARI Counter

Barbara Brookins-Schneider, Chief Justice Ronald George, Barbara George

Mayor Gavin Newsom with BVLGARI’s Daniel Diaz

Jeffry Weisman, Andrew Fisher

Grey Goose Vodka created special BVLGARI cocktails

Alexis Traina and Guests

The Two Daru’s — Daru Kawalkowski

Kay Walker, Sandy Walker, Lucy Jewett

Damion Matthews, Betty Kay Coakley, Joel Goodrich

Unique highlights included a spectacular collection of one-of-a-kind jewels and minaudieres from BVLGARI’s Vintage Archive Collection, all of which were on-display at the brand’s 125th anniversary retrospective exhibition in Rome; the personalization of a special accessory; the assembly of the Sotiro Bulgari watch and a breathtaking diamond and sapphire parue; as well as a private screening in the VIP lounge of some of BVLGARI’s most treasured Hollywood moments.

As for fashion, the evening had several major moments: Cameron Silver in his eye-catching Alexander McQueen, Vanessa Getty in vintage (we think Halston, but didn’t catch the name), Sonya Molodetskaya in a gorgeous Oscar de la Renta, Mireille Schwartz in a new design by Karen Caldwell, Tatiana Sorokko in architectural Ralph Rucci, Elizabeth Touw and Kate Harbin in Prada, Lindsay Bolton in Marchesa, and Marissa Mayer in exquisitely embroidered Naeem Khan.

Marissa Mayer (in Naeem Khan), with husband Zach Bogue

Maggie Rizer (in Marc Jacobs) with Tatiana Sorokko (in Ralph Rucci)

Maggie Rizer with Alex Mehran, Jr.

Vanessa Getty (in vintage)

Patrick Herning with Juliet de Baubigny (in Alexander McQueen)

Mark Rhoades, Mireille Schwartz (in Karen Caldwell) with Oliver and Karen Caldwell (in Galanos)

Bill Brady, Allison Speer and Troy Griepp

Troy and Angelique Griepp (in Monique Lhuillier)

Patrick Barber and Melissa Barber

Rob Van Es and Afsaneh Akhtari

Sobia Shaikh (in Roland Mouret) and Elisa Goldblatt

Barbara Brown (in Giambattista Valli) and Karen Tamblyn (in Ache)

Kate Harbin (in Prada) and Suzanne Levit

Sherri McMullen and Dr. Leslie Delaney

Maria Manetti Farrow and Dorotea Seffer

Michelle Curtis and Kelly Grimes

Jeana Toney, Jenna Hunt and Elizabeth Thieriot

Bita Daryabari and Anahita Afshar

Allison Pinkus and Elizabeth Touw (in Prada)

Lindsay Bolton (in Marchesa) and Carol Bonnie

Lana Adair, Jessica Moment and Sally Fowler

Lisa Alexander and Patrick Perigaud with Marcy Carmack

Mitchell Benjamin and Ricky Serbin

Cameron Silver (in Alexander McQueen)

Marilyn Cabak (holding Jack), and Michael Cabak

James Long and Lonna Wais

Willie Brown and Sonya Molodetskaya (in Oscar de la Renta)

Justin Fichelson and Cameron Phleger

Jorge Maumer and Bahya Murad

Steven Dinkelspiel and Nadine Weil

Katya Sorokko (in Fendi), and Greg Spencer

Linda Gordon and Mark Rhoades

Sloan Barnett (in Gucci and Léger), Denise Hale (in Ralph Rucci) and Nicola Bulgari

Gary and OJ Shansby (in Chanel… and yes, she wore it best)

Photos: Drew Altizer [drewaltizer.com]