Roberto Cavalli is a name synonymous with unapologetic opulence and fearless glamour. Born in Florence, Italy, Cavalli grew up surrounded by art, with his grandfather being a part of the Macchiaioli movement, whose works are displayed in the Uffizi Gallery. Inspired by this artistic heritage, Cavalli pursued textile studies, experimenting early on with floral prints that grabbed the attention of major Italian hosiery manufacturers. But it wasn’t long before he expanded his ambitions, inventing a leather printing process in the early ’70s that caught the eye of Hermès and Pierre Cardin.
Cavalli’s distinct flair emerged at the height of the ’70s, when he brought patchwork, printed denim, and intarsia leathers to the forefront of fashion. His collections, which debuted in Florence’s Sala Bianca and later in Milan, turned heads for their boldness—taking a direct aim at the limits of glamour. By the early 1990s, he was a pioneer in sand-blasted denim, opening his first boutique in Saint-Tropez and later expanding into Milan, Venice, and even the Caribbean. From the flagship Roberto Cavalli line to the playful, youth-oriented Just Cavalli launched in 1998, his creations embodied a rebellious yet luxurious spirit.
In 2015, after years of growth and wild creativity, Cavalli handed over the reins of his company, selling a controlling stake to Italian private equity firm Clessidra. This shift marked a new era for the brand, but Cavalli’s influence persisted in the unmistakable aesthetic—animal prints, fluid silhouettes, and the heady mix of sensuality that defined his legacy. Financial challenges hit the brand in the latter part of the 2010s, leading to a 2019 buyout by Dubai-based Vision Investment Co. LLC, which already had a partnership with Cavalli for a collection of branded luxury villas in the Middle East.
The house of Cavalli continues to evolve, melding its flamboyant DNA with contemporary fashion sensibilities. While the brand remains anchored in its heritage of glamour and audacity, it seeks new pathways under fresh leadership, capturing the essence of what Cavalli started—a celebration of the bold and the beautiful, imprinted on the modern fashion landscape.
