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Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli has passed away at the age of 83. Cavalli was known for his use of bright colors and patchwork effects in his designs, celebrating excess and maximalism. Over the years, he garnered celebrity admirers such as Lenny Kravitz and Cindy Crawford.
Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, renowned for his animal-print designs adored by , has passed away at the age of 83, according to his company.
Cavalli, who established his label in the early 1970s, had been unwell for some time.
He is survived by his six children and his partner Sandra Bergman Nilsson.
“The Roberto Cavalli company extends its condolences to Mr. Cavalli’s family, as his legacy continues to inspire,” said Sergio Azzolari, CEO of Roberto Cavalli, in a post on Instagram.
The designer passed away on Friday at his residence in Florence, as reported by Italian news agency ANSA.
Cavalli, known for his bold use of colors and patchwork effects in his often revealing creations, was an extroverted art enthusiast who sported tinted glasses and smoked cigars.
He expanded his ventures into real estate and frequently spent evenings at his popular Just Cavalli Cafe, a nightclub in central Milan.
Giorgio Armani expressed his immense respect for Cavalli, despite their differing visions of fashion.
Throughout his life, Cavalli celebrated excess and maximalism in his designs. Source: Getty / Daniele Venturelli/WireImage
“Roberto was a true artist, wild and wonderful in his use of prints, capable of transforming fantasy into seductive clothes,” he posted on social media platform X.
“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,” said Roberto Cavalli’s creative director Fausto Puglisi.
The Florence-based fashion group is owned by Auriel Investment SA, controlled by Dubai’s Hussain Sajwani who rescued it in 2019.
Cavalli’s funeral is scheduled to take place in Florence on Monday, as reported by Italian media.
