Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, known for his animal prints on leather and textiles, has died aged 83.
Italian news agency ANSA reported that he died at home in Florence after a long illness.
He set up his company in the 1970s. His designs have been worn by stars like Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren, Kim Kardashian, and Jennifer Lopez.
The founder of Armani, Giorgio Armani, was among those to pay tribute to the late designer, saying his “Tuscan verve” would be missed.
In statement posted on Armani’s social media accounts, he said: “Roberto was a true artist, wild and wonderful in his use of prints, capable of transforming fantasy into seductive clothes.”
Roberto has dressed some of the world’s most famous names – from Victoria Beckham to Beyoncé – but, he says, creating the costumes for Michael Jackson to wear on tour was one of his favourite memories.
“He came to me and said, ‘Roberto, I need you to give me a new look. I’m tired of the moccasins, I’m tired of the white socks.’ So I created a fantastic jacket for him, it took months to make,” Cavalli told us, laughing. “I remember when he got on stage, there were thousands of people in the audience yelling, ‘it’s too hot for the jacket.’ So he threw it into the crowds! I couldn’t believe it. I said to myself, ‘I am never making him a jacket again.'”
Michael Jackson wore few of the Cavalli’s designs:
Rest in peace Roberto and all our condolences to his friends and family.
R.I.P. Roberto Cavalli. He will be missed.