Roberto Cavalli, the acclaimed Italian fashion designer best known as the king of leopard print, famous for his vibrant animal prints and innovative textile techniques, has died at the age of 83. The fashion house bearing his name confirmed his passing on Instagram, though details were not provided. According to the Italian news agency ANSA, Cavalli died at his home in Florence after a long battle with illness.
Born on November 15, 1940, in Florence, a city renowned for its leather craftsmanship, Cavalli was a pioneering force in fashion. He founded his eponymous label in the 1970s and achieved fame with his distinctive designs worn by celebrities such as Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren, Kim Kardashian, and Jennifer Lopez. Last month, Zendaya, the star of the movie “Dune,” wore a Cavalli dress at the Green Carpet Fashion Awards.
His creative ventures included the opening of his first boutique, Limbo, in Saint-Tropez in 1972, and later, he patented a revolutionary leather printing process that became synonymous with his brand.
Cavalli’s work was characterized by bold patterns, hippie dresses, sand-blasted jeans, and patchwork designs on denim. In 2005, he even reimagined the iconic Playboy Bunnies’ uniform, introducing a version in leopard print. His affinity for nature was often reflected in his designs, as he once explained to Vogue in 2011, saying he was inspired by the colorful ‘dresses’ of fish, snakes, and tigers, and considered God “the best designer.”
“I started to understand that God is really the best designer, so I started to copy God.”
Roberto once said in an 2011 interview to Vogue
Fausto Puglisi, Roberto Cavalli’s current creative director, expressed his admiration, stating that working with Cavalli was “the greatest honor of my career” and described him as “a beacon of inspiration for others.”
Giorgio Armani, founder of Armani and a contemporary of Cavalli, also paid tribute through the brand’s Twitter account, praising Cavalli’s “wild and wonderful” prints and his ability to transform “fantasy into seductive clothes.”
Condolences from V Perfumes:
V Perfumes deeply grieves the loss of Roberto Cavalli, a legendary figure whose designs have left an indelible mark on the world of fashion, especially the perfume industry. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the countless individuals inspired by his visionary work. His legacy of elegance and bold innovation will forever be remembered and celebrated within the fashion community and beyond.
Sources:
- https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/topnews/2024/04/12/morto-lo-stilista-roberto-cavalli-a-firenze_d6d3a5e3-f95d-4b5b-9c96-1bc6f9790877.html
- https://www.instagram.com/p/C5q_PeZIx_O/
- https://twitter.com/armani/status/1778858137228841160
