From chiffon dresses to sleek suits

Italian designer's signature style presented in every piece

Roberto Cavalli has spent the better part of thirty years producing his numerous fashion lines under the famous Cavelli label. Never one to shy away from glamour, sex and overindulgence on the runway, Cavalli came from an artistic household, the grandson of impressionist painter, Giuseppe Rossi. Cavalli's work can be seen in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and his popularity amongst the entertainment industry's elite may have something to do with his ability to blend hardy fabrics like leather with light colours and fabrics. It may also have to do with his ease of creating both feminine chiffon dresses and dark, sleek suits.
Born in Florence, the 63-year-old Cavalli was trained at the Florence Art Gallery and became an international name in the 1970s. Honing his craft and expanding his empire in the 1990s, the Cavalli lines are distributed to thirty countries through showrooms in New York City and Milan, although his actual boutiques can be found anywhere from Mexico City to Seoul with new boutiques planned for Kuwait and Dubai. Considering the themes of his recent collections, his international appeal is not surprising. Cavalli's Spring/Summer 2003 collection for Men featured a number of Native American-inspired colours and prints. The latest round for Roberto Cavalli's Ready-to-Wear collection for Spring 2004 included ultra-feminine chaps and several fringed jackets with his trademark leather - juxtaposed, of course, with 70s colours, large prints and flares (his show included an informal tribute to Cher).
Cavalli's Ready-To-Wear collections range from children's clothing (Angels) to Freedom Roberto Cavalli (casual). The Cavalli empire also includes perfume, footwear, watches, home décor, and a youth line. There is a Canadian connection to Cavalli's collections, which are available at Holt Renfrew. In September, the store launched an animal-print Holt Renfrew American Express card designed by Cavalli himself.
The Italian designer's trendy appeal has not gone unnoticed in galleries, either. Until February 8, 2004, one can see a Cavalli kaftan on display in the New York Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art as part of an exhibit called "Bravehearts: Men in Skirts" celebrating the time-honoured tradition (Scottish, Roman and otherwise) of skirts. Cavalli's inspired designs are considered modern works of art, and the Italian designer lives up to his reputation for eye-catching glamour on the runway and behind glass.

Publication Date: 2003-12-07
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=3439