Roberto Cavalli cream silk zodiac print evening dress with gold chain, fw 2003
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Small (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU140217001662
Roberto Cavalli
Whether they’re adorned with understated floral patterns or colorful prints that draw on the wonders of the animal kingdom, vintage Roberto Cavalli dresses and evening gowns, shirts and skirts are unapologetically exuberant. All of the seductive garments crafted at the luxury fashion house have long been associated with extravagance and red-carpet sophistication, and their stories begin in Central Italy.
Roberto Cavalli was born in Florence, Tuscany, in 1940 into an already artistically rich family — his mother was a tailor, and his grandfather, Giuseppe Rossi, was a member of an Italian art movement called Macchiaioli that shared common ground with Impressionist painters. Cavalli was creative at the onset and focused on textiles at the Florence Academy of Art. He garnered some high-profile attention with bold prints on knitwear.
After he patented an experimental and revolutionary process that saw him printing on lightweight leather, Cavalli secured commissions from major fashion houses such as Hermès and Pierre Cardin. He explored integrating handmade ornamentation in his designs and found limitless inspiration in the majestic creatures of the jungle.
In the early 1970s Cavalli unveiled his first namesake collection in Paris and the Sala Bianca of Palazzo Pitti in Florence. He then opened his inaugural boutique in France’s Saint-Tropez in 1972. While the designer’s printed denim offerings were deemed unsophisticated by the day’s couturiers — they looked down upon the material — Cavalli’s form-fitting, sensual cuts, innovative patchwork and obvious dedication to impeccable craftsmanship found admirers in the likes of Sophia Loren and Brigitte Bardot.
In 1980 Cavalli married former beauty pageant contestant Eva Düringer, who became his trusted business partner. Now a signature of the label, the pair introduced their first sand-blasted jeans in 1994 and later opened boutiques in Venice and elsewhere.
Cavalli’s designs sold all over the world, and the brand’s success helped pave the way for the introduction of a line called Just Cavalli that targeted younger consumers and RC Menswear to complement the array of day dresses, shoes, lingerie and coats and outerwear that were offered in his popular boutiques.
In 2005 Cavalli was asked to help reinvigorate Playboy’s iconic bunny costumes and, in 2006, model Kate Moss starred in his spring/summer ad campaign. A year later, Cavalli created an exclusive collection for H&M and designed costuming for Jennifer Lopez concerts as well as the Spice Girls.
Sicilian designer Fausto Puglisi was appointed creative consultant in 2020 at the Roberto Cavalli brand, which is now owned by Vision Investments.
Find vintage Roberto Cavalli clothing, accessories, handbags and purses and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Dolce & Gabbana mauve mesh evening coat dress with floral motifs, ss 1998By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Dolce & Gabbana mauve mesh evening coat dress ▪ 66% Cotton, 34% Nylon ▪ Hand-sewn three-dimensional floral motifs ▪ Double breasted ▪ Metal hook and snap button fastenings ▪ Stan...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Dolce & Gabbana ivory silk hand-painted kimono dress coat, fw 1998By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Dolce & Gabbana ivory kimono dress coat ▪ 65% Silk, 35% Nylon ▪ Hand-painted design of flowers and birds ▪ Black silk lining ▪ IT 44 - FR 40 - UK 12 ...Category
1990s Italian Coats and Outerwear
- John Galliano grey checked Blanche Dubois bustled coat dress, ss 1988By John GallianoLocated in London, GBJohn Galliano London; grey Prince of Wales check coat dress. Bustled skirt falling in polonaise drapes, gathering into a band at the hem, can be button...Category
1980s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vivienne Westwood 'Voyage to Cythera' harlequin leggings and shirt set, fw 1989By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood harlequin ensemble. Loose fit cotton shirt and high waist fitted leggings. ''Voyage to Cythera'' Fall-Winter 1989Category
1980s British Trouser Pant Suits
- Jean Louis Scherrer haute couture purple lame brocade evening gown, f/w 2005By Jean-Louis ScherrerLocated in London, GB- Poet sleeves - Jewel encrusted buttons and belt buckle broach - Silk lining Haute Couture, Autumn-Winter 2005Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Yohji Yamamoto white cotton maxi dress with nylon t-shirt, c. 1990sBy Yohji YamamotoLocated in London, GB- 2 side pockets - Maxi length - Stretch nylon T-shirt at front c. 1990sCategory
1990s Japanese Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Giambattista Valli Ivory Crepe Sleeveless Wedding Gown Dress EU 40By Giambattista ValliLocated in New York, NYElegant Giambattista Valli ivory crepe sleeveless wedding gown has a delicate fitted bust, darts to accentuate the length of waist, which is finished with a stitched ribbon at the wa...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Elaborately Beaded French FLapper Dress, c.1920sLocated in New York, NYElaborately Beaded French FLapper Dress, c.1920s Indigo knee-length gauze Flapper dress with intricate beading of art deco style motifs in shades of indigo, blue and silver. Featurin...Category
1920s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Tom Ford Crystal Embellished Statement Dress F/W 2011 Size 38ITBy Tom FordLocated in Saint Petersburg, FLTom Ford - Olive gray, Swarovski crystal lace embellished dress. The lace dress is lined in sheer nude fabric and has an invisible zipper for closure.Category
2010s Italian Evening Gowns
- Vintage 1950's Pink Swirling Satin & Tulle Dress UK 6 US 2Located in Cheltenham, GBThis iconic 1950's dress, rendered in layers of pink tulle, with delicate circular satin details, is just the piece for that special occasion. The strapless cut of the dress, featu...Category
1950s Cocktail Dresses
- Sass & Bide Silk Crepe 3 Way Maxi Harness Bustier Dress AU 8 US 2Located in PUTNEY, NSWDress Crepe Embellished Contrasting trims SilkCategory
Early 2000s Australian Cocktail Dresses
- Givenchy Couture John Galliano S/S 1997 Bouquet Floral Ribbon Print Midi DressBy John Galliano, GivenchyLocated in Chicago, ILDesigned by John Galliano for the Givenchy Couture spring/summer 1997 collection; his last collection for the label. Galliano only designed for the fashion house for 2 years which ma...Category
1990s French Empire Waist Dresses
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
This Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen Ensemble Is Part Zsa Zsa Gabor, Part ‘Blade Runner’
As Burton steps away from the brand, it’s a fitting time to revisit one of her visionary designs.
Vivienne Westwood’s Punk Spirit Lives On in This ’90s Tartan Ensemble
The shorts suit in a mash-up of patterns with an asymmetrical cut speaks to the designer’s rebellious spirit.