When in Rome, have a whiff of Bulgari
Sharon Armstrong recently flew to Rome for the launch of Bulgari's latest fragrance, Goldea, The Roman Night. These are some highlights from a rather enviable day
09:00: ARRIVING
There's no time for jetlag, I'm literally living La Dolce Vita as I head for my hotel in the heart of Via Veneto, one of Rome's most famously elegant streets. Hello graciously wide avenues. Hello bustling bars and restaurants. Hello sweet life. I think I'll call you home for a while.
13:00: LUNCHING
It's time to join a group of international editors for lunch at the beautifully restored Casina Valadier, a fine-dining delight in Villa Borghese.
Master perfumer Alberto Morillas and Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin host us, keen to talk of their many collaborative years and their latest addition to the Goldea collection, The Roman Night.
15:00: TOURING
One doesn't walk off a lunch in Rome; one rides it off on a Vespa. I cling tightly, one hand on the oversized sunglasses, one on the sling bag, one on ... wait, how am I even doing this? I'm glad I'm wearing flats, even if Roman ladies prefer heels on wheels.18:00: STARGAZING
There's nothing quite like sipping cocktails on the iconic Piazza di Spagna at the bottom of the Spanish Steps - even better because it's free of the usual hordes of American tourists. Bulgari recently restored this world-famous landmark, and I'm admiring its imposing beauty when ... OMG it's Róisín Murphy!
The ex-Moloko star bursts onto the stage for a private performance. It's all too much - and then much more. Bella Hadid, radiant in vintage John Galliano and a king's ransom worth of Bulgari diamonds, is dramatically descending every single one of these 135 legendary steps. Surreal.22:00: AFTERPARTYING
Head still spinning, I head off to Palazzo Núñez-Torlonia, a , you know, 17th-century palace. There's gnocchi and pasta for dinner (of course), DJ Graziano Della Nebbia for dancing and Veuve Clicquot for drinking.I meet four digital influencers who have a combined following of over four million. I don't mention my fifteen hundred.
Nicola Bulgari, great-grandson of Bulgari founder Sotirios, is there too. No pressure. It's good.
I'm in Row-G and have just spritzed myself with Morillas's sensual, nocturnal creation. I'm at one with Rome and suddenly standing next to Róisín at the buffet table.
Inhale. Exhale. She says hello. I smile and a few minutes later we're sharing a smoke and swapping baby pics. Aaaah, Rome. It's all true...
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