HISTORY

Independent since its founding in 1927, Burma has grown over the years thanks to a strong style and image, together with a reputation linked to the loyalty of its international clientele. Faithful to the creativity and quality of the Maison’s creations, they are joyful and free-spirited, living their lives and travelling the world with Burma jewels.

1927 - Creation of Maison Burma


A jewel Burma "competes without difficulty with genuine jewels".
In 1927, at the rhythm of jazz and Charleston, Paris lives in the hour of the roaring twenties. Gaston Doumergue inaugurates the Boulevard Haussmann. Josephine Baker just happened at the Folies Bergères, with the magazine Nègre. In the heart-shaped of the theatre district, the Burma House opens its doors and signs a style, in line with the new, emancicated and hectic modern woman.

1933 - "A high-class jewel for individuals of all social extractions"


Burma, which employed the painter Jean-Gabriel Domergue for its catalogue, featured in the theater programmes of the Ambassadeurs, Bouffes Parisiens, Théâtre Antoine, and Théâtre de l'Athénée.

1936 - Josephine Baker, a Burma woman


“Don’t hesitate to offer any elegant lady the bracelet which will highlight the appeal of her personality". Burma adorned Josephine Baker for her Super Folies revue at the Folies Bergères. A little over ten years after the scandalous Revue Nègre, the return of the Ebony Venus to the stage after her tour of the United States marked an important date in the history of this Parisian establishment.

1938 - Burma illuminates the women of the stage


"A woman is always seductive when she wears a Burma jewel…"
Michèle Morgan
"Burma jewels are prodigious. Their perfect execution makes them strikingly akin to real gems..."
Mistinguett
Whether they are Mistinguett, Josephine Baker, Michèle Morgan or Jeanne Moreau, the stars have always had close links with Burma. Regularly adorned with Burma jewels, they participated in anchoring the brand to the world stage.

1950 - Burma dresses fashion


In 1950, a collage of René Gruau, the "fashion cruncher", who worked for the biggest names in Couture, immortalized the Burma style and elegance and made Maison Burma a shining star in the fashion universe.

1955 - Vogue immortalizes Burma jewelry


The famous British fashion photographer Cecil Beaton gives Burma jewels pride of place in Vogue with a series of portrait photographs that are subsequently used by the brand.

1957 - The power of pearls


Burma pearls soon become indispensable complements to the suit and little black dress placed on a pedestal by Parisian haute couture… Each Burma boutique soon has two workers to string pearl necklaces by hand.

1960 - Know-how at the service of innovation


Burma fine-tuned its skills in choosing and using materials and starts working with precious metals like gold and silver with the expertise and know-how of the best craftsmen jewelers. Burma innovated with the introduction of zircon which, once treated, looks like diamond. 
In 1963, Burma Champs-Elysées commissioned the replica of the sumptuous necklace made for Marie-Antoinette and donated it to the Château de Versailles Museum.

1976 - Fascinating Burmalite


Introduction of the Burmalite by Burma: this is a fascinating synthetic gem cut by the finest gem cutters, and whose astonishing sparkle stands out as a signature.
An exclusive collection of replicas of Tutankhamen’s jewels was presented at the Louvre, and the yellow-gold plated silver settings continued to increase the Maison’s notoriety.

1980 - International success


The 1980s marked the expansion in Burma's outlet network alongside its increasing international fame. The creation of unique sets in silver or yellow-gold plated silver and Burmalite strengthened the Maison’s image. In 1989, Burma was awarded the “Stratégies de la Communication“ prize and sponsored the first Biennale du Bijou at the Hôtel de Sens in Paris.

1991 - Bruno Zarcate breathes new momentum


As a shareholder in the family-run group, Bruno Zarcate took control of Burma after becoming its Managing Director in 1987. His ambition was to combine know-how and creativity with the new stylistic challenges that would give the brand a new international momentum.

2005 - Paolo Roversi's hand


First ad campaign shot by Paolo Roversi for Burma with art director Nicole Wisniak, the head of the cult magazine Egoïste. From Helmut Newton to Richard Avedon, and Françoise Sagan to Jean d’Ormesson, the magazine built its prestige by relying on influential contributors, legendary images, and bespoke advertising.

2012 - "Alexandra for Burma"


Alexandra Zarcate presented her “Alexandra pour Burma” collection. A naturalist rock series revisiting the spirit of the Maison through ten silver and white Burmalite pieces, and combining a neo-classical aesthetic with the boldness of a generation seeking personalized dreams.

2013 - New era for the boutiques


The firm turned to Atelier du Pont, directed by Anne-Cécile Comar, to design a new concept of boutique. In a play of reflections and transparencies, a vast chainmail chandelier and elliptical display cabinets suspended in a subdued atmosphere underscore a bold setting that creates a fascinating, magnetic universe.

2015 - "Les Ephémères", unique pieces


While Burmalite and synthetic gems plus know-how in jewelry-making distinguish Burma's world, this year saw the Maison launch of a new collection of unique items: Les Ephémères de Burma, exclusively made of fine gems in a marvelous blend of amethysts, colored sapphires, tourmalines, chrysoprases, prehnites, or topazes...

2016 - Baudelaire inspires Alexandra


New creations under the “Alexandra pour Burma” label joined the homonymous first collection launched in 2012. An incredible cuff bracelet interlaced with flowers, a sublime tiara, and other head jewels reworking the soft yet sharp image of a flower that is so dear to Alexandra Zarcate, of the family's fourth generation, who drew her inspiration from Baudelaire’s Fleurs du Mal.

2017 - Burma celebrates 90 years of History


This year also marked the arrival of Alexandra Zarcate, 4th generation of the family, as Artistic Director and muse, photographed by Paolo Roversi.

2018 - New boutique in Dubai


Maison Burma inaugurated its new boutique in the Dubai Mall, the largest shopping center in the United Arab Emirates and the world.