Today Cleopatra still influences the range

Draped in stunning golden cloaks and impeccably made up with shimmering metallics, emerald greens, heavily-lined eyes and plaited hair, Taylor is forever synonymous with the young queen of Egypt.

Perhaps most eye-catching about Taylor’s Cleopatra was the vast array of decadent jewels she wore on and off screen, most of which were designed by exclusive Italian jewellery maker Bulgari.

During the three-year filming period Taylor famously fell head over heels in love with co-star Richard Burton and it was that love affair that was responsible for bringing the Bulgari brand and Taylor together. The lovers often visited the famous jewellery boutique in Rome and Burton showered Taylor with jewels, including an iconic emerald and diamond necklace.

Taylor’s adoration of the Bulgari brand helped form the sumptuous, affluent atmosphere evoked within the film after she used her extravagant gifts in her scenes, including a gold and turquoise Cleopatra mirror given to her by the film crew.

In 20ll Bulgari acquired some of the actress’s personal jewellery collection and it is now proudly showcased at their headquarters in Rome.

Today Cleopatra still influences the range, most notably as part of the Serpenti collection, an exquisite set of gold and jewelled snakes which wrap around wrists, arms and necks. It is the best-selling collection in store.

In the Sixties, amid excitement about the filming of Cleopatra, Bulgari was leading the way in innovative jewellery creations, moving from the traditional combinations of emeralds, sapphires and diamonds instead using violet, turquoise and greens.

It was these daring creations that attracted the attention of its most famous customer Elizabeth Taylor.

A stunning black and white photograph of her bedecked in jewels still hangs in the office where the Bulgari creative process begins.

The brand has long been a byword for glamour. In the Fifties stars such as Sophia Loren and Audrey Hepburn delighted in visiting the boutique and today Nicole Kidman, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Rachel Weisz are fans.

Clients in search of Hollywood-worthy jewels travel from Russia, China and the Middle East to be the first to see the company’s new pieces.

Perhaps they also secretly hope to capture the spirit of Elizabeth Taylor’s timeless Cleopatra-esque beauty.