Roberto Cavalli died at the age of 83

Fashion enthusiasts will say goodbye to the Italian designer this Friday, the 12th

On Friday, May 12, the fashion world was taken by surprise: Italian designer Roberto Cavalli died at the age of 83 at his home in Florence, Italy. The cause of death was not disclosed.

Roberto Cavalli, who came from a family of artists, brought artistic sensitivity to his fashion creations after studying at the Florence Institute of Art. The Italian designer, born on November 15, 1940, began his fashion career in the early 1970s. He invented and patented a leather printing technique that was previously unseen. He then started creating patchworks of materials and colors.

With this new technique, he captivated the biggest fashion houses of the time, including Cardin and Hermès. It was in Paris that he presented his first collection at just 30 years old. Two years later, he returned to his hometown, Florence, to unveil his collection at the Palazzo Pitti, the mecca of Italian ready-to-wear at the time, and opened his first boutique in Saint-Tropez in 1972.

In the 1990s, he chose to incorporate Lycra into jeans, thereby inventing stretch jeans, which led to the launch of the Cavalli Jeans brand. Proud of his success, he collaborated with the Swedish giant H&M on a capsule collection in 2007.

His glamorous life reflected the success of his creations. He was known for his bold views on fashion and his passion for art, photography, and animals. He expanded into sectors like furniture and entertainment but faced economic challenges over the years. After ownership changes, his brand continues to thrive under the new creative direction of Fausto Puglisi.

On Roberto Cavalli’s eponymous brand’s Instagram, the news of his passing was announced with a series of quotes from the designer and messages signed by Fausto Puglisi and the current CEO of the label, Sergio Azzolari:

“Dear Roberto, you may not be physically here with us anymore, but 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 you are loved by so many that your name will continue on as a beacon of inspiration for others, and especially for me,” says Fausto Puglisi, Creative Director at Roberto Cavalli since October 2020.

“The Roberto Cavalli company extends its condolences to Mr. Cavalli’s family. His legacy remains a constant source of inspiration,” announces Sergio Azzolari, CEO at Roberto Cavalli.”

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