The iconic Italian fashion designer has passed away at age 83 in Florence.

Roberto <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/zendaya-roberto-cavalli-dress-2021-ballon-dor-awards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cavalli</a>, legendary Italian fashion designer, passed away at age 83 on April 12, 2024 in Florence, where he was born and raised. Hailing from a family of artists and creatives, Cavalli grew up surrounded by art&mdash;his grandfather was Giuseppe Rossi, a Macchioli painter whose art still hangs in the illustrious <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/ferragamo-fall-winter-2023-campaign-new-renaissance-uffizi-gallery-tyler-mitchell" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Uffizi</a> gallery today&mdash;and studied the field of textile print at the Florence Art Institute. 
As a young, budding designer interested in <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/floral-fabrics-fall-winter-2021-fashion-trend" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fabric</a> and textiles, Cavalli invented and trademarked a new leather printing technique, before rising to prominence as a designer in his own right after completing high-profile commissions for the likes of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/hermes-perfumer-christine-nagel-tutti-twilly-beauty-fragrance" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Herm&egrave;s</a> and Pierre Cardin. At 32, Cavalli created his first fashion line, which he presented on the runways in Paris and Florence, and just a short time later, the designer opened his own boutique in <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/travel-living/saint-tropez-guide-luxury-vacation-fine-dining-shopping" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Saint Tropez</a>, where iconic, enduring designs like printed denim jeans, brocade and animal print motifs, and intarsia leather pieces were featured.&nbsp;
The massively influential figure was known both for his innovations in the technical side of the industry, where he made marked improvements to the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/mary-katrantozu-creative-director-bulgari" target="_blank" rel="noopener">leather</a> printing process and common denim distressing methods, as well as the cultural mindset of the fashion world. A talented, visionary designer, Cavalli was synonymous with his &ldquo;Excess is success&rdquo; mindset, which translated over to his designs, seen in bejeweled <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/camila-morrone-calvin-klein-jeans" target="_blank" rel="noopener">jeans</a>, bold animal-print motifs, and sensual dress silhouettes.&nbsp;
Thanks to his standout designs and revolutionary textile techniques, Cavalli became a legend in the fashion world, both as a creative visionary as well as an iconic cultural figure. Red carpet looks designed by Cavalli have remained an enduring aspect of his legacy, and looks worn by <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/music/young-photos-madonna-birthday-80s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Madonna</a>, Gwenyth Paltrow, Charlize Theron, and more have persisted as classic, buzz-worthy looks, especially with the current renaissance of the maximalist late '90s/early <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/capri-pants-y2k-fashion-trend-beyonce-rihanna" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Y2K</a> style.&nbsp;
Cavalli is survived by his family, which includes six <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/zendaya-discusses-child-stardom-and-wanting-children-in-recent-interview" target="_blank" rel="noopener">children</a>, his partner Sandra Nilsson, and his ex-wife Eva Cavalli. In the fashion realm, designers, models, and creatives will remember Cavalli's Excess is success&rdquo; motto, his visionary creativity, and his timelessly <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/upside-down-bikini-swimwear-celebrity-kendall-jenner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bold</a> designs for years to come.&nbsp;

Roberto Cavalli and his wife, Eva Cavalli, after his Spring/Summer 2000 runway show. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Remembering Roberto Cavalli and his Bold, Innovative Signature Styles

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Remembering Roberto Cavalli and his Bold, Innovative Signature Styles

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