Roberto Cavalli. (Photo: Instagram/robertocavalli)
Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli has died at the age of 83. His designs were worn by celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Zendaya, and Eva Longoria.
Cavalli was known for his bold animal prints. He once spoke about his love for animal prints, saying, “I copy the dress of an animal because I love to copy God. I think God is the most fantastic designer.”
The designer passed away on Friday at his home in Florence, according to the Italian news agency ANSA. A statement confirming his death was posted on Roberto Cavalli’s official Instagram handle.
Sergio Azzolari, CEO of Roberto Cavalli, shared condolences, stating, “The Roberto Cavalli company shares condolences with Mr. Cavalli’s family on their loss. His legacy remains a constant source of inspiration.”
Fausto Puglisi, Creative Director at Roberto Cavalli since October 2020, wrote, “Dear Roberto, though you may not be physically here with us anymore, I know I will always feel your spirit. It is the greatest honor of my career to work under your legacy and to create for the brand you founded with such vision and style. Rest in peace, you will be missed and loved by so many. Your name will continue as a beacon of inspiration for others, and especially for me.”
Giorgio Armani paid tribute to Roberto Cavalli on X (previously Twitter). The official Armani handle wrote, “Mr. Armani pays tribute to Roberto Cavalli.” The note stated, “I cannot imagine a vision of fashion more distant from mine than that of Roberto Cavalli, yet I have always had enormous respect for him: Roberto was a true artist, wild and wonderful in his use of prints, capable of transforming fantasy into seductive clothes.”
The note further said, “I have learned with great sadness of his passing: his Tuscan verve will be greatly missed.”
Cavalli was born into a family of artists. His grandfather, Giuseppe Rossi, was a celebrated painter. Cavalli joined the fame wagon in 1970, when he showcased his inaugural collection at the annual Salon du Prêt-à-Porter in Paris. His technique of printing on leather and suede grabbed the attention from big industry players like Hermès and Pierre Cardin. It was in 1972, that he opened his first boutique, Limbo, in Saint-Tropez. It became a go-to destination for the fashionable and mega-rich.
