The Present is Also Female: Women Empower Women in the First European Edition of Bulgari’s Avrora Awards

Among its recommenders are Sharon Stone, Rita Ora, and Kylie Minogue.

Over the weekend, the first European edition of the Bulgari B.zero1 Avrora Awards took place at the Luigi Bocconi University in Milan, in collaboration with Vogue Italia.

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First given in 2016 in Japan then in China the following the year, the award’s aim is to recognize talent regardless of gender. This is a thrust that is dear to the Italian luxury house, who counts many of its employees and managers as women.

This includes Bulgari’s jewelry creative director and gems buying executive director Lucia Silvestri, who started on her path at 18 years old. Her dream has come true through an exceptional career based on the brand’s values ​​of passion, talent and creativity.

For this European edition, the Avrora Awards start a new path, joined by one of Bulgari’s most emblematic icons: the B.zero1 ring, a jewel to celebrate the milestones that pave the way for new beginnings and exciting, unprecedented journeys. The B.zero1 debuted a new design at the start of the year, featuring a diamond insert in the shape of a wave. Bulgari considered this as the fitting metaphor to support this important project, given that it represents a powerful momentum toward opportunities, personal growth, and positive change.

The awards were presented by prominent personalities, recognized for their fundamental contribution and visionary ability in the work and social sphere. They introduced the finalists, each for the own category, and metaphorically have passed the baton to the new leaders of the future. Bulgari will also donate a sum to a charity, chosen by each of these personalities, in line with the company’s principle of giving back.

Sharon Stone, Kylie Minogue, Rita Ora, Veronica Yoko Plebani, Edward Enninful OBE, and Munroe Bergdorf are the recommenders of the Award’s first European edition. In agreement with Bulgari and Vogue, they have identified six young talents from different countries who stand out for a unique and precious vision to be preserved and valued.

For cinema, Stone awarded the talented young Italian actress Alice Pagani. The Diva has chosen to allocate the sum donated by Bulgari to Italian Red Cross in support of health and social care programmes.

For fashion in music, Rita Ora awarded the young Albanian designer Nensi Dojaka. The singer has decided to allocate the sum donated by Bulgari to Unicef UK in support of refugee programs.

For performers, Minogue has awarded the young English rapper Little Simz who just won the Best New Artist at The BRIT Awards 2022. The singer has chosen to allocate the sum donated by Bulgari to Future Dreams UK in support of secondary breast cancer research

For journalism, Enninful awarded the young revelation in the editorial field Anna Osei. The journalist has decided to allocate the sum donated by Bulgari to Prince’s Trust, in support of programs of education, employment and enterprise for young people (from 11 to 30 years)

For sports, Plebani awarded the talented Paralympic swimmer Giulia Terzi. The Paralympic triathlete champion has chosen to allocate the sum donated by Bulgari to Terres Des Hommes Italia for the project “In defence of the girls of Haiti.”

For activism, Bergdorf awarded Michelle Francine Ngonmo, president Afro Fashion Association. The model has chosen to allocate the sum donated by Bulgari to Mermaids UK to support programmes for transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse children until their twentieth birthday.

Jean-Christophe Babin CEO Group Bulgari and Enninful (the editor-in-chief of British Vogue and European editorial director of Vogue) played hosts. Nicola Bulgari and Beatrice Bulgari joined as well to support this important project. The evening was attended by many personalities from the world of institutions, entrepreneurship and local culture, as well as a rich parterre of guests: Anna Wintour, Taika Waititi, Tina Leung, Mohammed Al Turki, Anna Dello Russo, Paola Di Benedetto, Elodie, Boss Doms, Cristina Marino, Blesnya, Tamu McPherson.

Mia Ceran was the presenter of the ceremony and during the evening the Italian singer Noemi enchanted with an extraordinary musical performance.