Italian jewellery brand Bulgari is set to open its first accessories-only store in South-east Asia on the first floor of Paragon next Friday.

Elettra shopping tote, $1,670

This follows its other branches in Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai, New York,Washington, Milan and Florence, which all opened between November 2005 and April this year. One will also open in Sydney later this month.

The 1,410 sq ft store here, dedicated to leather goods, eyewear, fragrance,silk accessories and silver gifts, will feature maple wood, white marble, glass and steel in its decor.

Prices range from $275 for a sterling silver keyholder to $13,000 for a large ostrich-skin handbag.

"Opening accessories-only stores in strategic locations confirms our strong commitment to growing our business and reinforces our strong position in the luxury goods sector," says Bulgari CEO Francesco Trapani.

In conjunction with the store opening, Bulgari is auctioning off two limited-edition handbags to benefit the MILK (Mainly I Love Kids) Overseas Fund, which aims to build schools and improve living conditions for children in countries such as China and the Philippines.

Gaby mink bag, $5,450

One is a cherry-red lizard skin and 18k yellow gold handbag - one of just 88 produced worldwide. The other is a small calf-leather and mink handbag from the brand's latest fall/winter 2007 collection.

The items are expected to fetch at least $52,000 and $5,450 respectively. Bulgari will also donate 20 per cent of the sales of the Elettra handbag($1,670 each) and the Fortuna bracelet ($345) to the fund.

The brand, founded in Rome in 1905 as a jeweller, is now one of the fastest-growing firms in the global luxury goods sector. It branched into accessories in 1996, starting with silk scarves and ties.

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