Roberto Cavalli, an Italian fashion designer renowned for his animal-print creations coveted by celebrities, passed away at the age of 83, according to reports.
Cavalli had been unwell for a while when he established his label in the early 1970s. His partner Sandra Bergman Nilsson and his six children survive him.
Chief Executive Sergio Azzolari of Roberto Cavalli wrote on Instagram, “The Roberto Cavalli company shares condolences with Mr. Cavalli’s family, his legacy remains a constant source of inspiration.”
According to Italian news agency ANSA, the designer passed away at his Florence home on Friday.
Cavalli was an extroverted art enthusiast who smoked a cigar and wore tinted glasses. He employed vibrant colours and patchwork effects in his frequently revealing creations.
He became involved in real estate and frequently spent his evenings in popular nightclub in the heart of Milan called “Just Cavalli Cafe.”
Despite having a very different take on fashion than Cavalli, Giorgio Armani claimed to have always had “enormous respect” for the designer.
He wrote on social media platform X, “Roberto was a true artist, wild and wonderful in his use of prints, capable of transforming fantasy into seductive clothes.”
Famous photo of American model Cindy Crawford from July 2000, wearing a long slip dress with a tiger face designed by Cavalli, as she descends the Spanish Steps in Rome.
Creative director at Roberto Cavalli Fausto Puglisi said, “You will be missed and you are loved by so many that your name will continue on, a beacon of inspiration for others, and especially for me.”
The Dubai-based Hussain Sajwani, who saved the Florence-based fashion group in 2019, owns Auriel Investment SA, the company’s parent company.
Monday is Cavalli’s funeral, according to Italian media.
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