After more than 15 years in Bvlgari’s world, Carlo Bevilacqua has developed a personal style built on heritage, harmony and the quiet intelligence of dressing for the moment
Some men dress well; others understand dressing. Carlo Bevilacqua belongs firmly to the second category. As general manager of Bvlgari Resort Bali, he has spent nearly two decades immersed in one of the world’s most aesthetically exacting brands. That environment has left its mark, not through decorated statements or trend chasing, but through a nuanced philosophy built on attention to detail, a bold embrace of color and an instinct for dressing according to the occasion. DA MAN caught up with Bevilacqua between a packed schedule to talk about heritage, the grandfather’s watch he rarely dares to wear and the one piece of advice about shoes that turned out to be about everything.
DAMAN: How do you define the line between your personal style and your professional style?
Carlo Bevilacqua: I actually stopped drawing that line years ago, especially once I stopped wearing a uniform for work. Now my work style and my personal style match completely. The way I’m dressed today is exactly how I’d be dressed if I weren’t at work. The only exception is the gym or sports activities, but otherwise, I’ve stopped differentiating between the two.
DA: Style is often found in the details. What is your everyday signature?
CB: My signature is the relationship between my watch and my shoes. I pay close attention to it because I genuinely believe watches and shoes belong together; they need to be in harmony. They don’t have to match exactly. I’d never wear a watch with a colorful wristband, for example, but the balance between them has to be there. That’s the thing I always come back to.
DA: Bvlgari is defined by bold Italian design, while Bali calls for effortless resort elegance. How do you balance Roman sprezzatura with island living in your daily wardrobe?
CB: It’s actually about balancing opposites, which I find beautiful. When I dress, comfort is obviously important, but what matters most is feeling in harmony with the resort, the environment and the guests around me. Being appropriate to where you are and who you’re with: That, for me, is the real exercise in style.
DA: Who is your ultimate style icon?
CB: My father. Growing up, I always saw him dressed impeccably, fit for any occasion, any setting. Once I stopped wearing a work uniform and could develop my own style, I chose him as my mentor. What always amazed me was the attention he paid to details visible only to a well-trained eye, not everyone.
From him, I learned that elegance isn’t about logos or brands; it’s about knowing what to wear, when to wear it and how to wear it, according to the occasion, the place and the people you’re going to meet, which is far more complicated than selecting a brand, by the way. So whenever I need style advice, my father is on my speed dial. Any time of the day, any time of the night, even now, across the time difference with Italy. I’ll call him and say, “Can I wear this? What do you think of this pairing?” And if he says yes, I trust him completely.
DA: Do you lean toward vintage history or avant-garde innovation?
CB: Both, wisely balanced. And this, again, is something my father taught me. You can’t run away from contemporary trends, from what’s coming, because that’s the direction we’re all walking in. But at the same time, you shouldn’t forget where you come from. Vintage pieces have stood the test of time for a reason, and that’s where style gets its depth. Ideally, I always try to balance the two. Avant-garde is a step too far for me personally, but contemporary, yes, absolutely.
DA: Tell us about a piece you own that has a personal story behind it.
CB: The watch I’m wearing today. It belonged to my late grandfather; he passed away a couple of years ago, and I believe it’s over 40 or 45 years old. For as long as I can remember, my father wore it too. What makes it so special is that if you turn it over, you find my grandfather’s initials, Nonno, that’s how we say grandfather in Italian, engraved on the back. I try not to wear it too often because I want to preserve it, the strap, everything, exactly as it was. But at the same time, I love wearing it. It goes with everything and it always brings him back to me. It’s a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, and those initials make it something no other watch in the world could ever replace.
DA: What is the most enduring piece of style advice you’ve ever received?
CB: Never wear the same shoes more than two days in a row. At first, I thought it was purely practical, about taking care of the leather. But as I grew older, I realized it was about so much more. It’s about the whole outfit, the whole way you approach getting dressed. Even if your environment is the same every day, the people around you are different; the energy is different. So don’t wear the same shoes. Don’t wear the same outfit. Don’t repeat the same color palette for more than two days in a row. It keeps you present and considered alive in the moment you’re actually in.
DA: How has working in Bvlgari’s world for more than 15 years shaped your definition of “true luxury,” particularly in how you dress and present yourself?
CB: My understanding of luxury hasn’t changed. I’ve only ever worked for Bvlgari, and the brand’s values have remained constant since I started. What has evolved is my understanding of those values and how they need to communicate across generations to stay relevant. That has inevitably influenced my wardrobe. Bvlgari instilled in me a deep attention to detail. So now, when I choose an outfit or buy something new, that’s exactly what I’m looking for. The brand also taught me to dare with color. Before, I was far more monochromatic. Now my wardrobe is considerably more colorful. When you work every day inside an environment with such a clear, bold identity, it becomes part of you. That’s the influence. Quiet, gradual and entirely genuine.