ROBERTO CAVALLI FALL/Winter 2024

As the lights dimmed and the chatter softened backstage at the Italian Stock Exchange, a different aura enveloped the atmosphere. Fausto Puglisi, the creative force behind Roberto Cavalli, spoke with a hint of melancholy about the world’s current state, a world he described as “not happy”. It was this reflection that sparked a transformative shift in his approach. In their place emerged a more intimate narrative, woven from Puglisi’s own fascination with Italian marble. While prints have long been synonymous with Roberto Cavalli’s identity, Puglisi delved deeper, drawing inspiration from the rich veins of marble scattered across his Sicilian homeland.

Departing from archival prints, he embraced the brand’s core elements—slip dresses, bias-cuts, plissé, and dévoré—reimagining them through a contemporary lens. The result? A collection infused with urban sophistication and a subtle edge. Yet, amidst this urban ethos, a delicate femininity emerged. Fortuny-esque pleats cascaded gracefully on camisoles and midi-skirts, while velvet creations mimicked ornate wallpaper with a whimsical charm. Despite the intricate techniques employed to replicate marble’s nuances on dévoré dresses, the effect was effortlessly chic, striking a balance between wearability and elegance.

For the devotees of Roberto Cavalli’s signature allure—once dubbed “glamazons”—there was reassurance amidst the evolution. Skin-baring silhouettes and flirtatious hemlines made their presence felt, albeit alongside a newfound emphasis on luxurious fabrications. Indeed, it was the pieces adorned with more material that stole the spotlight, for the material itself became the protagonist of the narrative.

In a fashion landscape where reinvention is often synonymous with deviation, Fausto Puglisi’s tenure at Roberto Cavalli serves as a testament to the power of authenticity. As the brand charts a new course, it does so not by forsaking its heritage, but by embracing it through a lens of personal resonance. In this kinder, gentler iteration of Roberto Cavalli, the allure lies not just in the garments themselves, but in the narrative they weave—a narrative rooted in the timeless beauty of Italian marble and the enduring spirit of reinvention.

Explore the collection on Roberto Cavalli website