Famed Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, known for his bold and exotic designs, has passed away at the age of 83. The designer’s death was announced by his company on Friday, April 12. Cavalli succumbed to a long illness in his Florence, Italy home, leaving a significant mark on the world of fashion.
Cavalli, born in Florence in 1940, was an early innovator in fashion. He studied textile printmaking at the Academy of Art in his hometown and began his career by creating a unique leather printing technique. His fresh take on fashion was noticed in the early 1970s when he showcased his designs in Paris and opened his first boutique in Saint-Tropez.
Cavalli was known for his striking animal prints and extravagant style that evoked a sense of opulence and indulgence. His signature prints, including leopard, tiger, and zebra, became a hallmark of his brand and established him as a constant presence on red carpets and at high-fashion events. Celebrities such as Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, and the Spice Girls were seen wearing his designs.
Beyond his iconic prints, Cavalli was a key figure in changing the fashion industry through his advancements in textile production. He introduced stretch denim in 1993 and unveiled the first sand-blasted jeans in 1994, significantly altering denim fashion. His readiness to experiment and push boundaries extended to his diverse ventures, which included men’s and women’s collections, accessories, fragrances, and home decor.
Although his brand faced financial challenges, culminating in a bankruptcy filing in 2019, Cavalli’s impact remained strong. The company, which he founded in the 1970s and later sold to an Italian private equity firm in 2015, eventually was acquired by a Dubai billionaire. Cavalli stepped away from his brand in 2015, but his initial vision continued to shape its design direction.
Cavalli was married twice and fathered six children, his youngest born when he was 82 years old with his partner Sandra Nilsson. His contributions to wildlife conservation were another facet of his multifaceted personality, reflecting his passion for natural patterns that were a notable influence on his designs.
Since news of his death broke, tributes have been pouring in from all over the fashion world, with peers like Giorgio Armani acknowledging Cavalli’s unique ability to transform imagination into fashion. Sergio Azzolari, the CEO of Roberto Cavalli, paid tribute to the designer, highlighting Cavalli’s enduring legacy as a source of inspiration for future generations.
With his passing, Roberto Cavalli leaves a legacy defined by daring innovation and sumptuous design, likely to impact the fashion industry for many years.
