The Toronto International Film Festival just announced a three-year partnership with the Italian luxury jewelry brand Bulgari. After expanding its retail presence throughout Canada, the jeweler has signed on as a major sponsor, and has been dubbed TIFF’s official jewelry partner. Considered the largest publicly attended film fest in the world, TIFF will host a multitude of new and innovative year-round programs, pegged to reinforcing Bulgari’s deep rooted connections to the world of cinema.
One part of the sponsorship includes a stylish portrait studio, designed to inspire and bring sophisticated design and glamour to the festival (which runs from September 8 to 18).
The Rome-based jeweler will also sponsoring the fourth annual TIFF Tribute Awards, a fundraising gala at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel on September 11. The event pays tribute to the film industry’s contributors and their most significant achievements. Past recipients include Academy Award-winners Jessica Chastain and Sir Anthony Hopkins, directors Chloé Zhao and Taika Waititi and many more.
“The Toronto International Film Festival is one of the most prestigious events in the world that we are honored to support,” said Bulgari CEO, Jean-Christophe Babin. “The link between Bulgari and the cinema has deep roots that have determined the DNA of the brand and have helped us to tell the audacity, creativity and excellence for which Bulgari is today so famous in the world.”
Founded in 1884, the luxury jeweler has gained a reputation for its support of the arts, along with its storied history in film. Bulgari’s dazzling jewels have appeared on the necks, ears, and wrists of Hollywood’s brightest stars in over 40 features, including the iconic Federico Fellini film La Dolce Vita by Swedish actress Anita Ekberg in 1960, and by Sharon Stone in the 1995 classic, Casino.
“Bulgari creations have brought elegance to the silver screen from the 1950s to the present day,” said TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey.
It also has a connection to movies and Canada thanks to one of the brand’s famous fans, Elizabeth Taylor. Richard Burton proposed to the star (for the first time) in Toronto in 1964 with a Bulgari emerald and diamond necklace. He also gifted Taylor a Bulgari emerald pendant brooch, which she wore on her wedding day in Montreal.
These days, Bulgari’s ambassador lineup includes, Zendaya, Priyanka Chopra and BlackPink’s Lisa, who continue to wear Bulgari at movie’s biggest events.
