Roberto Cavalli, Italian Fashion Designer, Dead at 83

Roberto Cavalli, the famed Italian fashion designer whose career began styling Sophia Loren and then the likes of Taylor Swift and Jennifer Lopez, has died. He was 83.

According to the Italian news agency Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (ANSA), Cavalli died at his home in Florence, Italy, following a long illness. Cavalli's company also confirmed the legendary designer's death.

"It is with great sadness that today we say our final goodbyes to our founder Roberto Cavalli," the statement on social media read. "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. Roberto Cavalli's legacy will live on via his creativity, his love of nature and via his family who he cherished."

In September 2021 while at the MTV Video Music Awards, YouTube star and influencer Bretman Rock made a statement when he walked the red carpet wearing a vintage Cavalli tiger-print slip dress once worn by the late singer Aaliyah to the same awards show two decades earlier. Rock later told Variety that he worked closely with Cavalli to "borrow" the dress for the night.

Cavalli had such a penchant for tiger- and leopard-print outfits -- on models and for himself -- he once was quoted saying, "I copy the dress of an animal because I love to copy God. I think God is the most fantastic designer."

Born in Florence in 1940, Cavalli began his career in fashion in the 1970s, but it wasn't until 1993 when his trademark stretch jeans -- modeled on a runway by Naomi Campbell -- launched his career into a different stratosphere. From that point on, Cavalli's name was synonymous with luxury fashion.

"Fashion is part of our life. When you wake up in the morning you say, 'What do I have to wear to look beautiful, fantastic, sexy, special?'" the late designer once told CNN in 2008. "That is the reason I love being a fashion designer because I can use it to measure your mood, your life."

Most recently, Cavalli was tapped to design some of the Midnights singer's outfits for her Eras Tour, including the popular custom couture light gold fringed mini dress.

Cavalli, whose love for luxury extended to fine cigars and Ferraris, was a fixture at Fashion Weeks all around the world and had close relationships with some of the biggest stars in the world, including Cindy Crawford. The celebrated fashion designer's style also extended beyond fashion outfits. He also lent his name to a number of products, such as luxury sunglasses and perfumes. According to The New York Times, Cavalli also put his name on a Vodka brand, which fittingly came packaged in a snakeskin-covered bottle.

Cavalli was married twice, including to Austrian beauty queen Eva Maria Düringer, and he had six children -- two with his first wife, Silvanella Giannoni and three with Düringer. He reportedly welcomed his sixth child last year with partner Sandra Nilsson.

RELATED CONTENT:

'Freaks and Geeks' and 'SCTV' Star Joe Flaherty Dead at 82

O.J. Simpson Dead at 76 After Cancer Battle

Mister Cee, Famed New York DJ, Dead at 57

Cole Brings Plenty, '1923' Actor, Found Dead After Reported Missing