Jewels in Residence: BVLGARI’s Star-Studded Trunk Show at the House of Tan Yeok Nee

On 23 July 2025, BVLGARI became the first High Jewellery Maison to present a trunk show at the House of Tan Yeok Nee, a gazetted national monument and the last surviving mansion of Singapore’s “Four Grand Mansions”. Visionnaire was appointed as event management partner, producing the full event across two segments—specifically a daytime media and influencer luncheon, and an exclusive evening dinner for a curated assembly of regional celebrities, press and tastemakers.

Constructed between 1882 and 1885 by Teochew merchant Tan Yeok Nee, the mansion sits at the junction of Penang Road and Clemenceau Avenue, spanning approximately 2,000 square metres. Its Teochew architecture, defined by timber carvings, decorative art and a sidianjin spatial configuration, has been carefully restored to preserve its original materials and character. With its protected status and architectural sensitivity in mind, Visionnaire worked with heritage and property stakeholders to secure access to the site. We adapted its courtyards, halls and interiors into a functional exhibition environment for over 145 high jewellery and high-end watch creations, with the building’s architectural integrity kept wholly undisturbed.

The showcase centred on Turmali, the concluding chapter of BVLGARI’s Colour Journey saga. Begun in 2020, the series has spotlighted paraiba tourmaline, spinel, kunzite and more gems across successive collections. Turmali brought the saga to a close with the tourmaline in full—a stone that BVLGARI has worked with since the 1970s and one that spans the entire colour spectrum. Standout pieces included the Serpenti Azure Mirage in yellow gold with Paraiba tourmaline; the Rhapsody of Colour necklace, featuring five pear-shaped green tourmalines set alongside other stones and mother-of-pearl; and the Serpenti Misteriosi Dragone Cabochon, a diamond-studded timepiece with a concealed Jaeger-LeCoultre movement and a 9.06-carat cabochon emerald. Visionnaire’s spatial planning and lighting design distributed the collection across the mansion’s rooms and halls, and this allowed the range and vibrancy of the pieces to read clearly within the heritage setting.

The guest list drew from across the region. Filipino actress Marian Rivera, Thai actors Mile Phakphum and Orm Kornnaphat, Vietnamese actress and singer Chi Pu, and Malaysian actor and host Azrel Ismail attended alongside Singaporean personalities Sheila Sim, Hong Ling and Zhai Siming. BVLGARI Friends Xenia Tan and Shawn Thia were also present. The full scope of guest logistics, from invitations and arrival sequencing to dinner seating, fell within Visionnaire’s remit. We ensured every touchpoint felt personal, unhurried and befitting the occasion.

Cultural programming was also built into the day. Stringanza, a Singapore-based Chinese string quartet, provided a live musical thread to complement the mansion’s character. Craft demonstrations in paper-cutting and Teochew opera mask painting offered guests a closer look at artisanal traditions connected to the building’s origins, sitting naturally beside BVLGARI’s own mastery of material and form. Each element was carefully timed and integrated across the luncheon and dinner programmes.

Producing a high jewellery presentation within a protected national monument, for the first time in the building’s history, required nothing less than rigorous coordination across heritage authorities, production teams, cultural performers and a regionally prominent guest list. For Visionnaire, it was a reminder that the most memorable events are built on the same foundation as the collections they present: precise execution, the right environment, and an eye for detail at every level.

Visionnaire is a leading event management agency specialising in premium brand experiences for luxury marques including LVMH, Chanel, Tiffany & Co., Porsche, Volkswagen and other global icons. Guided by a commitment to excellence, we create purpose-driven design and immersive storytelling that forge meaningful, lasting connections between brands and audiences. Our work is grounded in eco-conscious and socially responsible practices, supported by ISO 20121 Certification, a Gold EcoVadis rating, and our ongoing commitment to the United Nations Global Compact.