STYLE

By Pema Bakshi

Recalling the Greatest Red Carpet Moments in Roberto Cavalli’s History

In memory of the prolific designer, we look back on his impact.

roberto-cavalli-red-carpet-looks — MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 25: Designer Roberto Cavalli and his wife Eva acknowledge the applause of the public after the Just Cavalli Womenswear S/S 2011 show during Milan Fashion Week on September 25, 2010 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Venturelli/WireImage)

Roberto Cavalli has been a purveyor of rampant glamour (or ‘loud luxury’ as the kids would call it) since his inception into the fashion industry in the ’70s. Synonymous with high-octane prints, show-stopping cutouts, and slinky silhouettes well before they became the pinnacle of fashion in the early 2000s—and again now—the Italian designer was truly in a league of his own.

With early fans in Brigitte Bardot and Sophia Loren, Cavalli steadily earned a major presence in Hollywood for his rich aesthetic and quickly became the covet of every starlet in the 90s and 2000s. Even now, younger celebrities like Zendaya and Hailey Bieber consistently reach for his early archive pieces from when he was still helming his namesake label.

As we mourn the designer’s recent passing at 83, we commemorate his impact. Though he is no longer with us, it’s clear Cavalli lived large—just look at his sprawling 13-hectare Tuscan estate, complete with a pet tiger. What he leaves behind is an inimitable legacy of unbridled Italian luxury that continues to be a staple of the industry. In a sea of minimalist staples and stealth wealth, his bold vision will be sorely missed.

Ahead, we rounded up some of his most iconic creations that have graced the red carpet.