Roberto Cavalli Womenswear S/S11

This year marks Roberto Cavalli’s 40 years in the industry. To coincide with that anniversary, Cavalli presented a well-coherent evening collection, which employed some of the signature elements of his aesthetic. There was plenty of soft leather paired with chiffons, animal prints and intricate beading. A great craftsmanship – the result of Cavalli’s ongoing collaboration with artisanal workshops in Florence – manifested itself in the cascading fringes that adorned the necklines, shoulders and bottom hems of his snakeskin-print dresses. But there was also a rock chick element to the collection. The crocodile jacket featured unfinished hems, and the skintight trousers had lace-up panels down both sides. Muted shades of grey, pink and beige added a contemporary touch to Cavalli’s theme: the tropical paradise.

Dazed Digital: What’s new for Roberto Cavalli this season?
Roberto Cavalli: All my collections are very different from each other. The only thing that stays the same is Cavalli’s love for women. While designing for spring/summer, I also wanted to rebel against the current popularity of minimalism. I think minimalism is there to destroy the femininity in women, and I’ve always been the one to go against the grain.

DD: What inspired the tropical garden that you built on the runway?
Roberto Cavalli: The whole collection was inspired by nature, so the garden is a fantasy. It represents paradise.

DD: How would you describe the woman you design for?
Roberto Cavalli: She’s strong. Strong, because I am strong and my life is very strong.

DD: This year also marks your 40th anniversary. How are you celebrating?
Roberto Cavalli: Well, right now, I feel a bit like a baby that needs to hold someone’s hand! I just want to smile at everyone. But I also feel like I need to rest, because I worked until 4AM last night.