Most recently, on April 12, the Internet was shocked by the news: "Roberto Cavalli passed away, he was 83 years old ...". In this article, we will recall the most iconic moments of the legendary designer's life and find out how he managed to develop his brand from a modest workshop to one of the largest business empires. Roberto was born in Florence, his family was creative and the young designer was surrounded by art from an early age. Since childhood, Roberto had a real passion for aesthetics, which was a valuable legacy from his ancestors. His grandfather, an impressionist painter, and his mother, a master tailor, were weaving the first threads of his extraordinary future.

"My dream, maybe because of my family, was to become an artist. At one point I chose the direction of textiles, and from textiles I came into fashion," the designer said.

The Sixties: the revolution begins

At the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence in 1957, Roberto Cavalli discovered the magic of the connection between textiles and creativity. From the moment his hands touched the fabrics, he realized that fashion was the perfect tool to express his talent. It was then that his journey began, turning his name into a symbol of sensual and provocative style. However, the thirst for creativity attracted him even more, and he dropped out of school to open his own small T-shirt factory. Experimenting with prints and materials, he quickly gained popularity among young people. Cavalli's business was booming, and he was receiving more and more orders from knitting factories. His workshop grew, as did the number of business partners. Even the flood of 1966, when the Arno River overflowed its banks and flooded the whole of Florence, did not break the spirit of the young entrepreneur. In a matter of weeks, production was restored, as if the elements had left no trace.

The Seventies: distinctive signs

In the 1970s, Roberto Cavalli delved into experimenting with materials, paying special attention to leather. Cavalli's experiments with materials could not go unnoticed. By the age of 30, he had already gained fame in fashion circles, attracting the attention of such masters as Hermès and Pierre Cardin. In 1970, he debuted in Paris with the first collection featuring a leather patchwork quilt, and introduced the innovative use of this technique on jeans. In 1972, he presented the Roberto Cavalli Sala Bianca women's collection at Palazzo Pitti (Italy).

Stretchy denim, pleated silk shirts and bright animal prints are becoming hallmarks of Roberto Cavalli's work, boldly redefining fashion standards.

In 1972, Cavalli opened his first boutique in Saint-Tropez, then a quiet fishing village. Soon this place became a fashionable resort for the elite, and Cavalli was one of the first to catch the wave of its popularity. For a fashionable outfit for a cocktail party, everyone went to the Roberto Cavalli boutique.

The Eighties: Rebellious style

In the 1980s, Roberto's glamorous aesthetic defied the minimalist fashion introduced by new Japanese and Belgian designers. This decade has been marked by a gap between his vision and emerging trends.

In a landscape where major Italian designers are beginning to migrate to Milan, Cavalli makes a bold choice: he stays in Florence, dedicating himself to developing his distinctive style, meeting new challenges in the name of continuous innovation with his rebellious spirit.

Cavalli didn't just break into the fashion world, he turned it upside down. Ripped jeans, patchwork, leather and brocade — his innovative ideas have forever inscribed his name in fashion history. But his main calling card became animalistic prints: zebra, tiger, leopard.

"It's not that I really like leopard print, I just like everything that has to do with nature. I started with flowers – in the beginning they were orchids, they are so white and sexy. I love photography and often notice that all living creatures have a uniquely beautiful "garment" – fish, snakes, tigers. I realized that God is the greatest designer, and I began to copy him." — Roberto Cavalli

In dresses and suits by Roberto Cavalli, women did not just walk, they reigned. He saw them as lionesses, panthers, tigresses—wild but fascinating.

The Nineties: worldwide success

During 1994 Fashion Week, Roberto Cavalli presents a collection that will launch his brand internationally, thanks to the huge success of animal prints, which are becoming a hallmark of the Cavalli house. Roberto becomes one of the most beloved designers of stars and celebrities who wear his iconic images with inherent sensuality. The company is moving to Milan.

From his endless experiments with denim, Roberto creates the first printed jeans in 1988, sandblasted jeans in 1994 and stretch jeans in 1995, marking a unique moment in fashion history.

"In the early 90s, I came up with the idea of sewing denim jeans with elastic. And all the women said thank you to me." — Roberto Cavalli

In 1996, he opened the first flagship boutique in Venice.

From 2000 to 2015: evolution and victories

In the 2000s, Roberto Cavalli continued to push the boundaries by launching Cavalli Jeans, later renamed Just Cavalli, this line also included underwear, beachwear, sunglasses, watches and perfumes. Roberto Cavalli Eau de Parfum is one of the most iconic fragrances of the brand, as if it absorbed the bold and sensual style of Roberto himself.

His composition is dominated by a duet of exquisite notes: orange blossom, like a faded postcard from Italy, and vanilla, enveloping in a sweet, alluring train.

The global upswing strengthened in 2001 with a spread to more than 30 countries. The year 2002 was significant for Roberto Cavalli, the fashion maestro was awarded the prestigious title of "Best Designer of the Year", and his brand Roberto Cavalli was recognized as the "Best men's Brand". In 2007, Cavalli made an unexpected but successful move by collaborating with H&M to create a pret-aporter collection available to a wide range of buyers. In 2010, the brand proudly celebrates 40 years of activity with an exclusive fashion show in Paris. This decade is becoming an anthem of Roberto Cavalli's relentless evolution and countless triumphs in the fashion world.

Until 2015, the tandem of Roberto Cavalli and Eva Maria Duringer created a unique brand style, imbued with sexuality and rock'n'roll aesthetics.

Roberto Cavalli leaves the post of head of the fashion house in 2015. Peter Dundas and Paul Surridge take on the interpretation of his creative vision. In 2020, new creative director Fausto Puglisi brings a fresh perspective while maintaining respect for the brand's DNA. His arrival marks a new era of innovation and creativity in the history of Roberto Cavalli.

Roberto Cavalli is a name that is forever inscribed in the history of fashion. The Italian maestro, he did not just create clothes, he created whole worlds where femininity was combined with audacity, and luxury with a rebellious spirit. Cavalli broke stereotypes using innovative materials and bold prints. The brand has influenced not only the fashion world, but also pop culture. His outfits were worn by movie and music stars, and his name became synonymous with luxury and glamour.

Cavalli has left us not only a rich legacy, but also a source of inspiration, reminding us that fashion is not just rules, but a way to express yourself, your individuality and beauty. And his story continues...

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