At the age of 83

Fashion designer Roberto Cavalli has died

(Bild: APA/AFP/SAVO PRELEVIC)

The Italian fashion designer and entrepreneur Roberto Cavalli has died. He had only become a father a year ago.

Cavailli's fashion house announced its sadness at his death on Instagram. "It is with great sadness that we bid a final farewell to our founder today," it said. Cavalli's legacy will live on through his creativity, his love of nature and his family.

Cavalli died on Friday at his home in Florence at the age of 83, his relatives announced. Having been frail for some time, his health had deteriorated significantly in recent days. The fashion designer had been married to Eva Maria Düringer from Vorarlberg since 1980, with whom he had three children. The youngest was only born a year ago.

Fashion house with an eventful history
Cavailli's fashion house shared its sadness at his death on Instagram. "It is with great sadness that we bid a final farewell to our founder today," it said. Cavalli's legacy will live on through his creativity, his love of nature and his family.

(Bild: APA/AFP/FRANCOIS GUILLOT)

The fashion house founded by Cavalli had a chequered history. In 2016, the company had to close its boutique in Vienna, just three years after it had opened. A third of the company's workforce had to leave at the time. Austerity measures were introduced after the Italian private equity company Clessidra acquired the fashion house. In 2019, it became the property of the Dubai-based private investment company DAMAC. Cavalli's fortune was recently estimated at around 500 million dollars (466.03 million euros).

Exotic patterns and animal skin looks
The Italian was considered one of Italy's best-known designers. He became world-famous in particular for his exotic patterns and animal fur looks in his clothes. He repeatedly emphasized that he was interested in exotic animals - many of his creations were inspired by them. His clothes were subsequently worn by many celebrities.

The now deceased fashion designer was born in Florence in 1940. He was interested in fashion from an early age. Art and creativity played a major role in his family. His grandfather Giuseppe Rossi was a member of the Macchiaioli group of painters, whose pictures adorn the Uffizi Gallery. At the age of 17, Cavalli enrolled at the art institute in his home town.

Brigitte Bardot was one of his first customers
He presented his first prêt-à-porter collection at the age of 30. The Italian opened his first own boutique in Saint-Tropez in the south of France in 1972. One of his first customers there was the actress Brigitte Bardot. He then succeeded in attracting the attention of the international jet set. He later expanded his range, launching a jeans label, men's lines and children's collections, shoes, accessories and swimwear.