Renowned Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, celebrated for his animal-print designs beloved by showbusiness stars, has passed away at the age of 83, his company confirmed.
According to Italian news agency ANSA, the designer passed away at his residence in Florence on Friday. Cavalli, who established his label in the early 1970s, had been battling illness for some time. He is survived by his partner Sandra Bergman Nilsson and six children.
Giorgio Armani expressed his “enormous respect” for Cavalli, despite their divergent fashion perspectives. “Roberto was a true artist, wild and wonderful in his use of prints, capable of transforming fantasy into seductive clothes,” he shared on X.
An iconic photo captured in July 2000 depicts US model Cindy Crawford gracefully descending Rome’s Spanish steps in a long slip dress designed by Cavalli, featuring a striking tiger motif.
Roberto Cavalli’s creative director, Fausto Puglisi, expressed, “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.”
Italian media outlets reported that the Florence-based fashion group is owned by Auriel Investment SA, overseen by Dubai’s Hussain Sajwani, who orchestrated its rescue in 2019. According to reports, Cavalli’s funeral will be conducted in Florence on Monday. Known for his bold use of bright colors and patchwork effects in his daring designs, Cavalli was an extroverted art enthusiast who favored tinted glasses and cigars.
