Roberto Cavalli has been a purveyor of rampant glamour (or ‘loud luxury’ as the kids would call it) since his inception into the fashion industry in the ’70s. Synonymous with high-octane prints, show-stopping cutouts, and slinky silhouettes well before they became the pinnacle of fashion in the early 2000s—and again now—the Italian designer was truly in a league of his own.
With early fans in Brigitte Bardot and Sophia Loren, Cavalli steadily earned a major presence in Hollywood for his rich aesthetic and quickly became the covet of every starlet in the 90s and 2000s. Even now, younger celebrities like Zendaya and Hailey Bieber consistently reach for his early archive pieces from when he was still helming his namesake label.
As we mourn the designer’s recent passing at 83, we commemorate his impact. Though he is no longer with us, it’s clear Cavalli lived large—just look at his sprawling 13-hectare Tuscan estate, complete with a pet tiger. What he leaves behind is an inimitable legacy of unbridled Italian luxury that continues to be a staple of the industry. In a sea of minimalist staples and stealth wealth, his bold vision will be sorely missed.
Ahead, we rounded up some of his most iconic creations that have graced the red carpet.
Aaliyah, 2000
Christina Aguilera, 2002
Beyonce, 2004
Mischa Barton, 2004
Kelly Clarkson, 2004
Victoria Beckham, 2005
Kate Hudson, 2005
Nicole Richie, 2005
Mischa Barton, 2005
Beyonce, 2005
Jennifer Lopez, 2005
Charlize Theron, 2005
Sheryl Crow, 2005
Emma Thompson, 2006
Michelle Yeoh, 2006
Rihanna, 2007
Drew Barrymore, 2007
Naomi Campell, 2010
Jennifer Lopez, 2010
Christina Applegate, 2010
Jane Fonda, 2011
Miley Cyrus, 2011
Rosario Dawson, 2011
Natasha Poly, 2012
Miley Cyrus, 2012
Nicole Kidman, 2014
Taylor Swift, 2015
Kim Kardashian, 2015
Naomi Campbell, 2016
Hailey Baldwin, 2018
Bella Hadid, 2019
Zendaya, 2021
Emma Chamberlain, 2022
Megan Thee Stallion, 2022
Bella Hadid, 2022
Taylor Swift, 2023
Halle Bailey, 2024
Zendaya, 2024
Read More
MFW: Birds Of A Feather Flock Together At Roberto Cavalli
Grammys 2024: Old Hollywood And ‘Old Money’ Style Ruled The Red Carpet
Taking A Closer Look At Y2K Fashion—A Resurgence In The K-Pop Industry