Cavalli

Summary

Roberto Cavalli began his career in the 1960s, revolutionizing the fashion industry with innovative textile techniques that reflected his Tuscan artisan roots. He first gained recognition through his work in silk printing and leather patchwork, debuting at the 1970 Salon for Pret-a-Porter in Paris. His groundbreaking leather printing techniques earned him collaborations with renowned fashion houses like Hermès and Pierre Cardin. Over the years, Cavalli expanded his brand’s reach by opening his first boutique in Saint-Tropez, where he attracted elite clientele. By the 1990s, Cavalli had firmly established himself as a global luxury brand, introducing iconic elements like printed denim and sand-blasted jeans, which later led to the launch of Cavalli Jeans, now known as Just Cavalli. His bold, exotic designs captivated celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez and Victoria Beckham, reinforcing his presence on the red carpet and international fashion scene.

As the brand diversified in the 2000s, Cavalli ventured into new areas, including accessories, fragrances, and even lifestyle experiences, opening clubs and launching a line of vodka. By collaborating with the Marcolin Group for eyewear and Sector for watches, Cavalli expanded his influence beyond fashion into a full luxury lifestyle brand. Despite facing financial challenges, including the 2015 acquisition by private equity fund Clessidra SGR and subsequent restructuring, the brand continued to evolve. Cavalli’s focus on accessories, home decor, and collaborations with real estate developers like DAMAC kept the brand relevant. Under new creative leadership and ownership, the brand remains committed to its legacy of bold, glamorous designs and Italian craftsmanship, while expanding its e-commerce operations to adapt to the modern market.

History

Roberto Cavalli began his career in Fashion during the Sixties, working in his own silk printing shop where he applied a new painterly technique to garments, which consequently led to garment dyeing techniques. His interest in adding colours to silk and wool has its roots in Tuscan artisan traditions. Few know that his grandfather was an acclaimed painter of the Macchiaioli group and Cavalli himself studied at the Academy of Fine Arts of Florence where he specialized in textile application.

Roberto Cavalli made cutting-edge developments in textile technology. In 1970 he debuted at the Salon for Pret-a-Porter in Paris with leather patchwork in alliance with Mario Valentino. The evening gowns in printed leather took Fashion by storm and having patented his leather printing technique, Cavalli earned commissions from design houses including Hermès and Pierre Cardin. In 1972 he showcased patchwork jeans at Palazzo Pitti, Florence.

That year he also opened his first boutique in Saint Tropez, foreseeing the potential of the fishing village as a destination for the elite and attracted the A-list set including Brigitte Bardot. In the late Seventies most Italian fashion houses moved to Milan. Cavalli stayed on in Florence. Per Vogue: “Exotic elegance, wild prints and bohemian glamour are inherent in every collection and his seductive cuts have provided everyone from Jennifer Lopez to Victoria Beckham with red-carpet drama.”

Cavalli’s career entered an exciting phase in the Nineties. His showcase at Milan Fashion Week in 1994 made the luxury fashion brand a worldwide success. One of the most glamorous to date, the collection had wildlife motifs on denim, printed apparel, embroidered fur and sculpted gowns. Applying artistic techniques to denim he presented printed jeans in 1988, sand-blasted jeans in autumn- winter 1994 and Lycra stretch jeans the following year. These innovations in textile technology was an unbridled hit and Roberto Cavalli launched Cavalli Jeans — later renamed Just Cavalli — in 2000. This was followed by new clothing lines: Roberto Cavalli Junior and Class Cavalli.

The same year he opened boutiques in Saint Barth and the French Caribbean.. the first mono-brand boutique in Venice in 1996 and shortly the brand was distributed in over thirty countries. So is it a wonder it was loved and worn by Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham and Gisele Bundchen?

At the turn of the century the Italian fashion group diversified its portfolio by inking collaborations and licensing agreements for the production and distribution of new accessories lines. The Marcolin Group started developing and distributing Roberto Cavalli and Just Cavalli sunglasses and optical frames.

In 2002 Cavalli collaborated with Sector to design watches which grossed reported €3.9 million. That year he opened a café store in Florence with the interiors done up in his animal prints. This was followed by the Just Cavalli Club in Milan.. and along with another club in Dubai, it became representative of the brand’s lifestyle experience. Set in a snakeskin-encased bottle, Roberto Cavalli Vodka was launched in September 2005. Followed by wines, restaurants and members’ clubs.

Cavalli celebrated its fortieth anniversary in 2010. The company was named the number one women’s fashion label on Luxury Brand Status Index- released a coffee-table book- and held an extravagant party in Paris attended by Heidi Klum, Kylie Minogue, Naomi Campbell and Taylor Swift. Roberto Cavalli Home debuted at Salone del Mobile in 2012 and new licensing agreements were inked with Renzo Rosso’s OTB Group for Just Cavalli, Coty Inc. for Roberto Cavalli and Just Cavalli fragrance. The same year Cavalli’s second limited edition high-street line was launched for Australian Target. Georgia May Jagger was signed as the face of Just Cavalli perfumes in March 2013. The following year, the brand reported €210 million revenue and €12 million loss. Sadly, the search for buyers had begun.

In 2015 Italian private equity fund Clessidra SGR had ninety per cent stake in Roberto Cavalli with minor partners such as L-GAM and Chow Tai Fook Enterprises. Former Versace head Gian Giacomo Ferraris was appointed  CEO in July 2016 and began a re-organization and return to the brand’s Tuscan origins: the Milan headquarter closed and relocated to Osmannoro.

‘The profound knowledge of the sector and the important professional experiences of Gian Giacomo Ferraris will allow Roberto Cavalli to consolidate the path of relaunch that is at the base of the company’s development plans’ Cavalli said in a statement. The following year he appointed Paul Surridge as Creative Director of the maison.

To revamp its lines the Italian group focused on accessories, womenswear and menswear. A collaboration with DAMAC real estate developer to build Cavalli Villas in the Middle East stimulated growth of the Home division. In March 2019 Italian fashion house Roberto Cavalli closed its US stores and prepared to liquidate its North American operations. In November, Hussain Sajwani, President of Dubai-based DAMAC Properties, purchased the fashion brand through private investment company Vision Investments.

In a more recent development Roberto Cavalli S.p.A appointed Fausto Puglisi as its creative consultant. ‘I am honoured and proud to carry on the legacy of this extraordinary brand and, above all, to continue to support Roberto Cavalli’s image of glamour and refinement’ he said in a release. ‘This is a unique opportunity to write a new chapter in Cavalli’s history, continuing to celebrate the legacy of Italian craftsmanship and excellence.’ Since, the luxury fashion brand has enhanced its e-commerce primarily as a result of the global pandemic while maintaining its stores in Europe, Middle East and Asia.

‘At 71 years old the designer is reluctant to retire, despite all that he has achieved. “Well sometimes I say when I’m completely tired… but I feel a lot of responsibility to my fans: what they expect from me” he told us in 2011. “They expect a lot, but at the same time fashion is a part of my DNA. I could never live without it.”‘ per Vogue. In recent developments Roberto Cavalli hired a new CEO, Sergio Azzolari.

Mission Statement

Roberto Cavalli’s mission has always been to inspire a sense of bold self-expression through designs that exude luxury, sensuality, and individuality. He sought to empower people by giving them the means to stand out, ensuring that they felt confident and fearless in their fashion choices. His creations were not just about following trends; they were about making a statement. Cavalli believed that clothing should evoke emotions, provoke thought, and allow wearers to embrace their wild side while still embodying sophistication and elegance.

At the core of Cavalli’s mission was a deep commitment to craftsmanship and innovation. He placed immense importance on quality, striving to create pieces that not only looked fabulous but were made with the finest materials and attention to detail. This dedication to high standards ensured that every item under the Cavalli name was a testament to luxury and enduring style. By incorporating groundbreaking techniques like printing on leather and mixing animal prints with vibrant colors, Cavalli pushed the boundaries of traditional fashion, reinforcing his commitment to creativity and excellence.

Cavalli’s mission extended beyond fashion into the lifestyle space, where he aimed to create an entire world of luxury that reflected his bold, unapologetic ethos. Whether through his renowned home décor lines, fragrances, or accessories, Cavalli sought to inspire those who embraced his work to live life fearlessly and fabulously. He didn’t just design clothes or interiors; he cultivated a lifestyle—a celebration of beauty, confidence, and individuality. By doing so, he transformed the way people view fashion and interiors, making them more than just utilitarian but a true form of self-expression.

Vision

Roberto Cavalli envisioned creating wild, fabulous products of the highest quality that would always be a statement piece—whether in fashion or interiors. His designs are characterized by bold prints, vibrant colors, and luxurious fabrics that immediately draw attention. Cavalli aimed to infuse a sense of daring and opulence into every creation, believing that fashion should be an expression of individuality and bold confidence. He never shied away from the extravagant, often pushing the boundaries of traditional design to create pieces that exude a fierce and unmistakable identity.

Cavalli’s vision extended beyond fashion into home interiors, where he applied the same philosophy of audacious elegance. His furniture and home decor lines are a testament to his belief that luxury should permeate every aspect of life. From lavish upholstery to intricately detailed furnishings, Cavalli brought a sense of high glamour to the home, ensuring that each piece felt as much a statement as his iconic fashion designs. His goal was to transform ordinary living spaces into works of art, blending comfort with striking visual impact.

At the heart of Cavalli’s creative process was a desire to break free from conventional trends and create timeless pieces that spoke to the wearer or owner’s bold character. His designs are not merely functional; they are meant to inspire and provoke, to be noticed and remembered. Whether on a runway or in a living room, Cavalli’s creations reflect a celebration of life’s exuberance, embodying a spirit that is both untamed and refined. He sought to redefine luxury by making it wild, fabulous, and always unapologetically statement-making.

Products and Services

Roberto Cavalli’s extensive range of products and services is a reflection of his daring vision and unmistakable design philosophy, which blends opulence, boldness, and craftsmanship. At the heart of his brand is his fashion line, which encompasses everything from haute couture to ready-to-wear collections for both men and women. His clothing is known for its striking use of animal prints, intricate patterns, and luxurious fabrics like silk, leather, and velvet. Cavalli’s designs are synonymous with sensuality, freedom, and a wild spirit, often featuring embellishments such as beads, sequins, and embroidery, making each piece a work of art. His fashion collections are not merely clothing—they are a celebration of personal expression, designed to empower those who wear them with confidence and allure.

In addition to fashion, Cavalli expanded his brand into a range of accessories, including handbags, shoes, sunglasses, and jewelry, all of which carry the same bold and luxurious aesthetic as his clothing line. His accessories are designed to be statement pieces, perfect for those who seek to make a lasting impression. His handbag collections, for instance, often feature exotic skins, vibrant colors, and intricate details that make them stand out in the world of high fashion. The footwear and jewelry lines are equally distinctive, often blending unconventional materials and designs that echo Cavalli’s passion for extravagance and creativity. His use of daring combinations, such as mixing metals with animal motifs or incorporating vivid gemstones, reflects his innovative spirit and his belief in fashion as a form of art.

Beyond fashion and accessories, Roberto Cavalli’s creative vision extended into the lifestyle sector with his home and interior design services. Cavalli Home offers luxury furniture and decor that embody the same sense of opulence and boldness found in his fashion collections. His home furnishings feature lavish materials like leather and velvet, combined with animal prints, floral motifs, and metallic finishes, resulting in interior pieces that are as artistic as they are functional. From extravagant sofas and chairs to intricate tableware and bedding, Cavalli Home is designed for those who want to live in spaces that reflect their unique, luxurious taste. Additionally, Cavalli ventured into the world of fragrance with a series of perfumes that capture the essence of his brand—sensual, exotic, and unforgettable, further expanding his reach into the luxury lifestyle market.

Leadership Team

Roberto Cavalli (Founder)
Sergio Azzolari (CEO)

References

• Official website Roberto Cavalli
• Roberto Cavalli Names Sergio Azzolari New CEO WWD
• Roberto Cavalli British Vogue
• Roberto Cavalli’s SS23 Wild Leda Collection British Vogue
• Fausto Puglisi Joins Roberto Cavalli BoF
• Paul Surridge is the new Creative Director at Roberto Cavalli Vogue
• Facebook page of Roberto Cavalli Facebook
• Roberto Cavalli for H&M: Rock-star pandemonium BoF
• LinkedIn page of Roberto Cavalli LinkedIn
• Roberto Cavalli’s Youngest Son Talks Menswear Forbes
• Instagram page of Roberto Cavalli Instagram
• Embrace Maximalism With The Queen Of Cavalli Chair British Vogue
• Twitter page of Roberto Cavalli Twitter
• Designer Philipp Plein Rumored To Acquire Roberto Cavalli Brand Forbes
• Youtube channel of Roberto Cavalli Youtube
• Paul Surridge comes on board as Creative Director NY Times
• Wiki page of Roberto Cavalli Wikipedia
• Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors at Salone del Mobile Reuters