The Roar of Roberto Cavalli
Who was Roberto Cavalli?
The fashion industry lost a true icon with the recent news of Roberto Cavalli’s tragic death at age 83. He was known for his animal-inspired prints that defined a generation of opulent, sex-appeal-infused style.
Courtesy of Kings of Chelsea
Cavalli was born in 1940 in Florence, but it wasn’t until the death of his father that he began creative exploration. Cavalli channeled his experiences into a design sensibility that was larger-than-life, reveling in vibrant colors, exotic prints, and an unabashed sense of sensuality.
However, Cavalli’s breakthrough only began in the 60s, as innovative technology allowed him to pioneer a printing technique that allowed him to apply his bold animal-prints onto leather. This new era of fashion quickly caught the eye of the fashion elite, with Cavalli emerging as the embodiment of the free-spirited ethos of the era.
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Cavalli’s scope and influence only grew with his designs appearing on runway’s all over the world; on the runway and on notable celebrities such as J-Lo, Victoria Beckham, and Charlize Theron. Cavalli’s unapologetic sensuality set himself apart from his minimalist contemporaries cementing his design and legacy into the industry.
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Cavalli was a true renaissance man, whose influence preceded the runway and showed a passion in art, photography, and an exuberant lifestyle. He had his menagerie of exotic pets and opulent homes including his maximalist villa in the hills of Florence. It was clear that Cavalli’s luxurious lifestyle embodied his roaring and racy designs, hosting lavish parties welcoming anyone in fashion, entertainment, and the social elite.
Courtesy of The Guardian
In Cavalli’s later years, he endeavored into another creative outlet; writing. His autobiography pulled back the curtain behind all the flamboyance and revealed that beneath the bravado and bold fashion, Cavalli felt a deep sense of vulnerability. The tragedies of his past and his relentless desire to shape the fashion industry left him feeling displaced, not knowing what his place in the world was.
As we mourn the loss of this visionary, Cavalli’s legacy lives on in his joie de vivre and spirited designs. His true icon status continues to inspire generations of new designers, reminding us to embrace our most vibrant and uninhibited selves. Let’s take a look at some of Cavalli’s most iconic looks…
1. Cavalli’s spring 2005 collection
Courtesy of The Cut
2. Eva Herzigová in Roberto Cavalli’s spring 2000 runway show
Courtesy of WWD
3. A look from Cavalli’s 2016 Milan Fashion Week
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4. Roberto Cavalli with Victoria Beckham in Monte Carlo in 2005
Courtesy of The Cut
5. Iris Law wearing a hand-picked 2004 Cavalli archive dress
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6. Roberto Cavalli’s spring 2001 menswear show
Courtesy of WWD
7. Zendaya wearing a 2020 Cavalli dress on the 2021 Ballon d’Or ceremony red carpet
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Featured image courtesy of The New York Times