Renowned fashion designer Roberto Cavalli passes away at the age of 83

Roberto Cavalli, the designer behind the luxury fashion line of the same name, died Friday at the age of 83.

Cavalli died in his home in Florence, Italy, of an undisclosed illness. He was known for establishing his brand on bold prints, which at times included homages to animals.

“A life lived with love. It is with great sadness that today we say our final goodbyes to our founder Roberto Cavalli. From humble beginnings in Florence, Roberto succeeded in becoming a globally recognised name loved and respected by all. Naturally talented and creative, Roberto believed that everyone can discover and nurture the artist within themselves,” the brand posted on Instagram. “Roberto Cavalli’s legacy will live on via his creativity, his love of nature and via his family who he cherished.”

The announcement led to other executives in the company expressing their condolences.

“Dear Roberto, you may not be physically here with us anymore but I know I will feel your spirit with me always,” creative director Fausto Puglisi wrote. “It is the greatest honour of my career to work under your legacy and to create for the brand you founded with such vision and style. Rest in peace you will be missed and you are loved by so many that your name will continue on, a beacon of inspiration for others, and especially for me.”

“The Roberto Cavalli company shares condolences with Mr. Cavalli’s family loss,” Robert Cavalli CEO Sergio Azzolari said. “His legacy remains a constant source of inspiration.”

Fellow fashion designers and celebrities offered their sympathies. Fellow Italian Giorgio Armani issued his statement on X.

“I cannot imagine a vision of fashion more distant from mine than that of Roberto Cavalli, yet I have always had enormous respect for him: Roberto was a true artist, wild and wonderful in his use of prints, capable of transforming fantasy into seductive clothes,” Armani wrote. “I have learnt with great sadness of his passing: his Tuscan verve will be greatly missed.”

“Roberto Cavalli was always one of my favorite designers,” actress and singer Jennifer Hudson wrote. “A true artist in every sense of the word ! He made the world a more beautiful place and will be dearly missed. May he rest in peace!”

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Azzolari anticipated the company made $131.78 million in sales last year. The brand has been owned by Damac Properties founder Hussain Sajwani since 2019.

Cavalli is survived by his girlfriend, Sandra Nilsson, and six children, Rachele, Daniele, Robin, Cristiana, Tommaso, and Giorgio, who turned 1 this March.