The king of the animal print, Roberto Cavalli passed away at the age of 83. The fashion industry has been grieving the loss of the visionary Italian designer whose legacy will live on and continue to inspire. He was known for his brave, unconventional garments and accessories that personified luxury and sophistication. With a career spanning over 50 years, Cavalli carved out a niche for himself with his style, which was defined by bold designs, complex embellishments, and lavish fabrics. His designs captivated celebrities and the fashion elite with their air of luxury and glamour.

Cavalli’s creative approach to design transformed the field, bringing him recognition and a devoted global following. He had a special kinship with Bollywood icons, frequently styling them for red-carpet events and high-profile engagements. It was a Roberto Cavalli ensemble that Bipasha Basu and Preity Zinta wore on the cover of the first issue of Vogue India. Cavalli is a favourite among influential Indians due to his opulent and impressive designs that perfectly match the splendour of Bollywood culture; he has emerged as the go-to designer for Bollywood’s elite stars like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, and Deepika Padukone who have all been spotted donning his creations. He has also experimented with Bandhani textiles after his 2013 trip to India, combining his signature style with traditional Indian fabrics. 

AISHWARYA RAI BACHCHAN

Many Bollywood celebrities have worn Cavalli’s designs over the years, representing his flamboyant aesthetic in global arenas. Aishwarya has been spotted donning his creations on multiple Cannes red carpets, the most prominently talked-about one being a golden strapless fishtail gown from 2014. She followed that one with another silvery-white Cavalli piece.

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KRITI SANON

Cavalli is known for his iconic leopard and snake prints. His designs are reflective of the inspiration he takes from the elements, giving them a natural edginess. Kriti Sanon looks gorgeous in an animalistic Cavalli number, having worn a subdued gold beaded gown by the designer in the past; the wild print is a welcomed contrast that shows just how versatile Cavalli’s range of designs is. 

PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS

Priyanka Chopra Jonas is no stranger to the allure of a good animal print. Cavalli seemed to be the perfect choice for her while promoting her film The Matrix: Resurrections. She wore a layered snakeskin-printed ensemble. Wearing print on print can be tricky, but Luxury Law styled multiple Cavalli pieces in such a way that the ensemble looked fierce and sophisticated at the same time. 

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She also channelled the old Hollywood aesthetic when she donned a glamorous red and black Roberto Cavalli gown with a sequinned train at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019 for the premiere of Rocketman.

POOJA HEGDE

A clear Cannes favourite, Cavalli’s designs never fail to impress on the red carpet. For her debut at Cannes 2022, Pooja Hegde looked stunning in a yellow mini-dress paired with the brand’s signature animal-printed jacket. The tiger jacket brought the whole ensemble together. Cavalli’s extravagant style and meticulous attention to detail are unparalleled. 

Cavalli’s affiliation with Bollywood stars has strengthened his presence in the Indian fashion scene while also elevating their design choices. What makes the collaboration so unique is the combination of his Italian design sensibilities with Indian exuberance, which is well-suited for Bollywood. Several generations of celebrities have worn his maximalist prints and printed leather techniques, from Kim Kardashian to Sonam Kapoor, whom he had nothing but praise for. “Sonamis one of the most beautiful women in India and the most promising actress of her generation, her natural elegance and amazing body embodies perfectly my designs. It was for me an obvious choice to invite her and arrive with her at my first boutique opening in India, as we have such a privileged and beautiful relationship,” Cavalli said in a statement in 2013 for the opening of his first store in India.

His long-lasting association with Bollywood never fails to fascinate and motivate fashion enthusiasts in India and internationally. The king of bling climbed the stepping stones of fashion by working with Hermes and Pierre Cardin and opened up boutiques all around the world. His designs reflected his lifestyle: loud, tastefully wild and exorbitant – a rebellion against every minimal trend the 90s put out. The fashion maestro’s patented leather techniques changed the game in the ’70s; his innovative designs, like the sand-blasted jeans, were a game changer for the fashion scene.

Cavalli was a true icon; his decision to choose Naomi Campbell to walk the ramp when he first presented his sanded & distressed jeans burst a racist bubble in the industry. Truly self-made with an understanding of art, fashion and people, his legacy lives on with the empire he has created.