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.
New Da-Nang Knit Wool Vest With Detachable Hood Size: Small
By Da-Nang
Located in Conroe, TX
Da-Nang Knit Vest Brand New w/ Tags * Detachable Faux Fur Trim Size: Small * Removable Hood * Toggle Front Closure * Side Pockets & Zippered Compartments * 100% Polyfill * Fabric ...
1990's Moschino Cheap and Chic Color Block Puzzle Jacket The Nanny
By Moschino Cheap and Chic, Moschino
Located in Concord, NC
Unique 1990's Moschino Cheap and Chic vintage puzzle jacket featuring a color-block design in vibrant shades of yellow, orange, green and pink. As see...
1990’s Moschino Cheap & Chic Vintage Pop Art Blazer
By Moschino, Moschino Cheap and Chic
Located in Concord, NC
1990’s Moschino Cheap and Chic vintage blazer. This novelty printed blazer features a Andy Warhol inspired colorful pop art design. Gold buttons. Size: No size tag, refer to measu...
CHANEL By Karl Lagerfeld Vintage Tweed Boucle Cream CC Logo Jacket Fall 1996
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel
Located in London, GB
A stunning very rare vintage Chanel Fall-Autumn 1996 tweed bouclé blazer-jacket in a neutral cream beige and taupe/light brown colour. It is a double-breasted tweed jacket. This is an iconic, collector piece and this style of jacket was first introduced by Gabrielle Coco Chanel in the 1950s. This gorgeous jacket is crafted from a beige and cream wool blend, tweed fabric. It features a fitted, double-breasted silhouette with large lapels and with 12 stunning CC logo gold-tone cream-brown jewel buttons (the buttons look like a pair of earrings). Four buttons at front, three buttons on each sleeves, two buttons at rear, two side pockets. The tweed has a rich, textured appearance with multi-tonal flecks. Amazing craftsmanship, it is an high-end tweed jacket, with an impeccable cut, lovely structured fit, fully lined with cream CC logo and with the gold chain finish for a lovely fit finish. Styled in the photos with a CHRISTIAN DIOR Vintage Long Chain Necklace With Hook Details 1971 W/Box for sale separately. A ‘Must-Have’ a collector Chanel tweed bouclé jacket...
CHANEL Pink Multi Tweed Jacket CC Logo Gold Jewel Buttons C.1993
By Chanel Boutique, Chanel
Located in London, GB
A classic beautiful Chanel tweed long jacket in overall good condition. Visible light yellow marks underneath the arms on the inner area othe...
Chanel Light Pink Blazer/Size 38/New With Tags/Autumn 2021
By Chanel
Located in Bernardsville, NJ
Brand: Chanel Size: 38 New with tags Original price: $15,500 Autumn 2021 Measurements: Center back - 22 inches Across back - 17.5 inches Sleeve - 20.5 inches Bust - 20 inches Waist -...
$523Sale Price|20% Off
Size: IT38
1990s Gianfranco Ferré Reversible Linen Taffeta Kimono Coat with Leather Belt
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Charenton-le-pont, FR
A rare and architecturally stunning piece from Gianfranco Ferré’s 1990s archives. This reversible kimono-style coat is meticulously crafted in Italy from a luxurious linen taffeta, f...
Jean-Louis Scherrer Boutique Vintage 1980s Jacquard Mao Collar Jacket
By Jean-Louis Scherrer
Located in Charenton-le-pont, FR
A sophisticated and vibrant statement piece from the 1980s, this Jean-Louis Scherrer Boutique jacket is crafted from a rich wool jacquard with a geometric diamond pattern in shades o...
Hermès Vintage Corrado Luxury Blazer in Cashmere Houndstooth, Size 42
By Hermès
Located in Padova, IT
Hermès Vintage Selection by Corrado Luxury - Splendid Blazer in pure cashmere houndstooth pattern with leather trim, the collar is purple velvet and has a mark at the fold due to sto...
Ralph Lauren Purple-Label BELTED Shearling Jacket
By Ralph Lauren Purple Label
Located in Ardmore, PA
Ralph Lauren Purple-Label Shearling Jacket Double-Breasted Design with Large Buttons Wide Shearling Lapels and Cuffs Matching Belt at the waist Size US 6 - fits like a US 00
Moschino Couture pink newsprint jacket with faux pearls smiley face buttons
By Moschino Couture, Moschino
Located in Sheung Wan, HK
- Vintage Moschino couture pink wool printed with humorous "articles" from an Italian newspaper smiley face newsprint jacket. - Featuring four gold faux pearl "smiley face" buttons...
Dolce & Gabbana Multi Colour with Jacquard Patterns Embroidered Blazer
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Sheung Wan, HK
- Vintage 80s Dolce and Gabbana multi colour with jacquard patterns embroidered blazer. This blazer is beautifully done! You can wear it with your jeans with a white t-shirt inside t...
Moschino couture pink newsprint jacket
By Moschino, Moschino Couture
Located in Sheung Wan, HK
- Vintage Moschino couture pink printed with an Italian newsprint jacket. - Featuring four faux pearl "smiley face" buttons, four front black flip pockets and two black cuffs. - ...
Chanel gold metallic glitter wool tweed jacket
By Chanel
Located in Sheung Wan, HK
- Chanel gold, metallic and glitter cream wool tweed jacket from fall 2000 collection. - Featuring four flattened gold-toned hardware "Chanel" buttons. - Size 42. - 90% Wool, 1...
Chanel brown double-breasted tweed jacket
By Chanel
Located in Sheung Wan, HK
- Classic and timeless Chanel brown double breasted tweed jacket from Fall 1997 collection. - CC dark grey toned hardware buttons. - Two front pockets with flaps. - Double vent...
Chanel classic yellow tweed jacket with purple red trim
By Chanel
Located in Sheung Wan, HK
-Chanel classic yellow tweed jacket. - Four front flap welt pockets. - Purple/Red trim. - Four Gold CC buttons front closure. - 3/4 sleeves. - Double vent with three gold CC b...
