RobertoCavalli

Tony Duquette Rug Collection Launched by Roubini

Filed under: Decor

"They are crazy rugs but that's what I like," says Michael Roubini of Roubini Rugs. Since 1985, his family's rug company has been partnering with designers to create special collections. Being Italian, they started with some of their favorite Italian designers such as Missoni, Roberto Cavalli, Versace and Fornasetti. Last week they added a new, bold-faced name to their list of collaborators.

A reception at the company's New York showroom launched its newest line in partnership with the Tony Duquette company. Duquette (above right), who designed sets for Fred Astaire musicals, jewelry for Tom Ford and costumes for Broadway plays, in addition to a host of lavish interiors, passed away in 1999, but his business partner of 25 years, Hutton Wilkinson (above left) has carried on the venerable "More is More" mantra of the interior design business.

Gallery: Tony Duquette Rug Collection by Roubini

Tags: baker furniture, BakerFurniture, fornasetti, jim thompson, roberto cavalli, RobertoCavalli, roubini rugs, RoubiniRugs, tom ford, TomFord, tony duquette, tony duquette company, tony duquette fabric, tony duquette rugs, TonyDuquetteCompany, TonyDuquetteFabric, TonyDuquetteRugs, versace

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Clooney's Girlfriend Stars in New Cavalli Lingerie Ads

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

George Clooney's sexy Italian actress / model girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis, 31, has shot a hot new ad for designer Roberto Cavalli's luxe lingerie line. "I was inspired by a real woman, with appeal, charisma and sensuality," Cavalli says of the collection. "I was sure Elisabetta was just perfect for enhancing the spirit of this advertising campaign... and I was not wrong!" Shot by famed fashion photographers Mert & Marcus in a 19th-century mansion filled with gilded mirrors and baroque furniture, the campaign "pure Cavalli: sexy, decadent and feminine." Draped on a Louis XVI style velvet sofa, Elisabetta gives the camera a sultry stare sporting mussed-up hair, smudgy black eyes and a set of leopard print Cavalli lingerie. Check out the video for a peek behind the scenes.

[via Instyle UK]

Tags: ad campaign, AdCampaign, Elisabetta Canalis, ElisabettaCanalis, George Clooney, GeorgeClooney, Italian fashion, ItalianFashion, lingerie, Roberto Cavalli, RobertoCavalli

This Year's Holiday Shopping Lesson: Lux Goes Online

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

The web isn't just for bargains. Some of the top luxury lifestyle brands in the world are turning to the internet to beef up their sales -- a must in a market where brick-and-mortar is lagging in the all-important holiday season. Giorgio Armani and Valentino Fashion Group, which have generally steered clear of the prolies shopping online, are changing their attitudes, as they have had to cope with the most severe recession in seventy years. Roberto Cavalli and Salvatore Ferragamo have joined the fray, too, both opening online stores in the past month.

In addition to younger buyers who are more comfortable skipping the store, a sense of "luxury shame" is causing many to turn to the web. The anonymity, once reserved for porn purchases, allows customers to indulge in big-ticket buys without having to endure looks of envy (or worse). If you need proof that luxury spending is going digital, take a look at Italy. This year, online sales of Italian luxury products are expected to surge 42 percent to $500 million, according to a study by Politecnico. Last year, it fell six percent for the luxury goods industry as a whole. In Italy, around 14 percent of holiday shopping will occur ont eh web, according to Deloitte's 2009 Christmas Survey.

The luxury industry's online endeavors are not limited to traditional stores, though Stefano Sassi, Valentino's CEO, notes that the startup costs are lower and that "There's a very interesting margin on e-commerce" as a result. Armani has launched applications for smartphones, including the iPhone and Blackberry and has launched a Christmas website.

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Tags: armani, BlackBerry, Christmas, christmas shopping, ChristmasShopping, Giorgio Armani, GiorgioArmani, holiday, Holiday season, holiday shopping, holidays, HolidaySeason, HolidayShopping, iphone, luxury, online retail, online retailers, online retailing, OnlineRetail, OnlineRetailers, OnlineRetailing, roberto cavalli, RobertoCavalli, salvatore ferragamo, SalvatoreFerragamo, Valentino

The Fashion Statement: Cruise into 2010

by Kristin Young (RSS feed) —

Filed under: The Fashion Statement

There was once a time when the resort/cruise collections were made for the rarefied woman who could afford to escape the winter by heading to the tropics (she needed swimwear and a caftan, did she not?). Not anymore. While still a David to the Goliath fall and spring collections, resort is catching the attention of more and more people.

Like air travel and cell phones, is resort bound for the masses?

Collections are just now beginning to hit stores and, for a season that's ostensibly all about lounging around on the beach or the deck of a boat, there's a lot of fashion news to digest: optical motifs, exotic locales like Marrakesh, sheer, leathers for day, aquatic, scuba, old-world charm, draping and, of course, nautical.

The media is doing their part. Fashion magazines are pointing out 'It items' like the floral ribbon-laced sandal from Prada, a bright green croc tote from Roberto Cavalli and pretty much everything in Chanel's stunning parade of black and white caftans and graphics (above).

Fashion insiders have long contended resort/cruise is either an evolution of fall or a preview of spring. That's not necessarily the case today, says style and beauty expert Mary Alice Stephenson. Stephenson explained to me this week that fashion has become like fast food and designers are compelled to feed the hungry. In other words, a resort collection must stand on its own.

"People want whatever's new," she says. "And designers like to keep customers surprised with their unique point of view. Shoppers are putting more thought into their splurges. So designers have to seduce the buyer with making the pieces usable in every aspect of their lives."

Others tell me resort/cruise is the one time designers get to cut loose and get creative. Saleability is less of an issue for a season that lasts, at most, two months. Of course, some designers go overboard. Calvin Klein designer Francisco Costa caught hell from my former employer Women's Wear Daily for his lineup of transparent dresses: "A long-standing argument against such [formal runway] presentations for resort is that inevitably some designers will crossover to the too-editorial side." Too-editorial means that those dress will have nothing whatsoever with how you and I dress in reality.

Still, as buyers we are demanding uniqueness, a slice of our favorite label. We want pieces to seamlessly integrate into our wardrobes. We want reality. And we want season-less items to wear far into next year.

We want it all, don't we?

Tags: Calvin Klein, CalvinKlein, Chanel, Francisco Costa, FranciscoCosta, Prada, Resort Cruise 2010, ResortCruise2010, Roberto Cavalli, RobertoCavalli

The Fashion Statement: For Sex or Abstinence?

by Kristin Young (RSS feed) —

Filed under: The Fashion Statement

Designers are in the midst of a heated argument at Milan fashion week-whether one should dress for sex or dress for abstinence in a global recession. Seems a fitting debate in a country where the famously womanizing Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Pope Benedict XVI are its two most powerful leaders

On the celibate team sits Miuccia Prada, who practices restraint on a regular basis (well, by Italian standards). She further reigned in her collection (well, by Prada standards) to include charcoal knee-length walking shorts, Fifties-style swimwear and demure day dresses. The ever quirky Marni showed knee-length shorts and paired them with thick-strapped shoes with thick soles worn with beige ankle socks (I can hear my boyfriend's protests now). Roberto Cavalli went AWOL from his I'm-too-sexy position in the marketplace, putting out modest peasant dresses with hems stopping mid-calf.

Then again, sex sells. Versace stayed true to form. Sex, sex and more sex with Donatella's brand of cigarettes afterward, thank you. Slits cut up to there. Necklines cut down to there. Cut-outs revealing erogenous zones. Towering stilettos. Short, short, short. (Definitely more my boyfriend's speed, I'm guessing.)

Gallery: The Fashion Statement, 10/01/09

Tags: Bottega Veneta, BottegaVeneta, Emporio Armani, EmporioArmani, Ferragamo, Gucci, Jil Sander, JilSander, Marni, Milan Fashion Week, MilanFashionWeek, Prada, Roberto Cavalli, RobertoCavalli, Versace

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Roberto Cavalli Gem Heels

by Marsha Reid (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Shoes

Roberto Cavalli is an in your face type of designer. His designs are unapologetically bold and at times risky, but always always intriguing. Cavalli's Gem Heels are that perfect balance. Set against sexy black patent leather, these heels are adorned with gems and crystals that create an instant wow factor to be be worn for years to come. However, the gold tone 4 inch stiletto heels might make them a bit dated but Cavalli's Gem Heels are still strikingly gorgeous. Price: $775.

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Tags: Gem embellished heels, GemEmbellishedHeels, gold tone heels, GoldToneHeels, Roberto Cavalli, RobertoCavalli

Leopard Print Box Clutch, Handbag of the Day

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

In a turn away from the soft, slouchy, and often puffy bags that always seem to overrun the springtime runways this Leopard print box clutch by Roberto Cavalli is a glamorous and sleek alternative. Multicolored leopard print resin is paired with gold hardware and a golden chain handle. The design is very minimalistic, with no exterior accents (other than Cavalli's signature) and closure acheived with a hidden internal magnetic closure. It also has a hinged base and luxe golden lining, but looks like no interior pockets. $1,195

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Tags: box clutch, BoxClutch, cavalli, clutch, handbag, handbag of the day, HandbagOfTheDay, handbags, leopard, roberto cavalli, RobertoCavalli

Just Cavalli Fashion Show Canceled

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

The economy just might be getting to Roberto Cavalli. He convened a press conference in Milan, Italy to cancel the show for his secondary line Just Cavalli, a press conference that the Guardian referred to as a temper tantrum. The Just Cavalli line is controlled by IT Holdings, a company which sought bankruptcy protection from its creditors Thursday.

Roberto Cavalli expressed his displeasure at not being able to have the show. He seemed very frustrated by the fact that the company was making 240 million euros in annual turnover over a year ago but was now in trouble. He stated that he felt very emotionally attached to the line. IT Holding owns several other Italian labels including Gianfranco Ferré, C'N'C Costume National and Versace Sport. Just Cavalli was a sexier line aimed at younger women and featured Kate Moss in one of its advertising campaigns. The main line Roberto Cavalli will show at the end of the week. Check out the designs from the last Just Cavalli show in the gallery below.

Gallery: Just Cavalli

Scenes from last fall's Just Cavalli Show

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Tags: fashion show, FashionShow, just cavalli, JustCavalli, milan, roberto cavalli, RobertoCavalli

Cavalli Intros Snakeskin Credit Card, Will Compete with AmEx Black

by Tracy Chait (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Celebrity Shopping

For the most part, the fashionable set chooses exclusive credit like the AmEx Centurion -- the oft-envied black card crafted from titanium instead of mere plastic. But as of March of this year, Roberto "Excess is Success" Cavalli is trying to get in on the action with a snakeskin-finish credit card for the discerning shopper.

The iridescent card comes with its privileges: special sales at Cavalli, invites to fashion shows. Perhaps cardmembers will gain access to Cavalli's new club in Florence, or clubs soon to open in Dubai and Milan.

But snakeskin does not a status card make, between AmEx's personal concierge, free stays at the Mandarin Oriental and the eye-catching prestige of carrying plastic that's not plastic at all.

[via BlackBook]

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Tags: amex black, AmexBlack, credit cards, CreditCards, roberto cavalli, RobertoCavalli, snakeskin

Cavalli Club Set To Open in Dubai

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli becomes the latest designer to take his talent to a hotel project in Dubai. The Fairmont Dubai will be the site of Roberto Cavalli's first Cavalli Club a new 'entertainment and night-life' concept. In Dubai, Cavalli is planning a two-story club with a separate entrance from the Fairmont Dubai. The floors will be done in shiny black quartz with reflective crystal dust and tall walls of Swarovski crystals create sparkling curtains. Want to shop late at night? The ground floor will showcase jewelry, watches and exclusive accessories from the Cavalli Maison. There will also be selection of refined food products chosen by Roberto Cavalli to express the best of 'Made in Italy."

Upstairs, an Italian restaurant is at center of the hall, while on either side of the Italian restaurant, there are are two large atolls in gold-colored glass and fur, suspended from the floor, which host a sushi bar and a wine bar featuring Cavalli Selection red wine. The upper floor also features a lounge bar with music and a suspended platform that will host the DJ and the dancers, as well as other entertainment and shows. The Cavalli Club Dubai will open in November 2008, with Cavalli set to take his party to Florence and Milan later.

(In this photo Cavalli poses with a plate portrait done by Julian Schnabel. Cavalli bought the plate portrait in 2007 at an AmFar auction).

Gallery: Designer Hotels

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Tags: cavalli club, CavalliClub, dubai, roberto cavalli, RobertoCavalli

Cavalli Calls Off Private Equity Deal

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Italian designer Roberto Cavalli has put off talks over selling a stake in his fashion business to a private equity firm. The Telegraph reports that bankers at Merrill Lynch in London and Italy were working on deals with buyout groups including Carlyle, Lion Capital and TPG in recent months. The deals halted on a pretty major sticking point, the value of the business. Cavalli figures his business is worth about $2 billion while some buyers thought that figure was close to $1 billion.

It's unknown whether Cavalli has called off talks permanently or is on the hunt for someone who will agree with his valuation. In our currently gloomy economy some luxury companies are finding it increasingly difficult to attract investors willing to write the big checks. The luxury brands are doing well but right now the climate of economic fear has some firms fearing the long haul. For the moment Cavalli seems to have aimed too high but the Italian designer, famed for his sexy styles, will likely get his deal eventually, he might just have to scale back his expectations.

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Tags: roberto cavalli, RobertoCavalli

Isabeli and Natalia Heat Up Versace for Fall

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Versace has tapped two of modeling's most beautiful faces for its new Fall ad campaign shot by famed photographer Mario Testino. Russian knockout Natalia Vodianova (foreground) and Brazilian stunner Isabeli Fontana star in the ads which feature Versace's eye-popping new line of handbags, clothing and accessories. Fontana is having an especially good season campaign-wise. As we reported last month, she also stars in Roberto Cavalli's theatrical new ads as well those of Valentino. See the gallery for more pix from the campaign.

Gallery: Versace's Fall Beauties

Tags: Ad campaigns, AdCampaigns, Isabeli Fontana, IsabeliFontana, Italian fashion, ItalianFashion, Mario Testino, MarioTestino, Natalia Vodianova, NataliaVodianova, Roberto Cavalli, RobertoCavalli, Supermodels, Valentino, Versace

Cavalli Brings Back Kate Moss for Fall

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Last month we reported that Italian designer Roberto Cavalli had picked not one but four beautiful models to replace Kate Moss in the ad campaign for his signature collection, which will be modeled on the classic movie Il Gattopardo. He's not quite over Kate, however. She is now starring in ads for one of his diffusion lines, Just Cavalli, which is targeted to a younger audience. The ads, shot by fashion photog duo Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, mirror real life somewhat, portraying Kate partying with a bunch of rock star dudes (no controlled substances are visible). After finally breaking with messed up Babyshambles frontman Pete Doherty, the eternally gorgeous Brit beauty took up with another, more presentable rocker, James Hince of The Kills, though on her recent party jaunt to Sardinia he was conspicuously absent.

Gallery: Cavalli Campaigns

Another image from the new Just Cavalli campaign

Isabeli Fontana, star of Cavalli's new campaign

Tags: Ad campaigns, AdCampaigns, Babyshambles, Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, InezVanLamsweerdeAndVinoodhMatadin, Italian fashion, ItalianFashion, James Hince, JamesHince, Kate Moss, KateMoss, Pete Doherty, PeteDoherty, Roberto Cavalli, RobertoCavalli, The Kills, TheKills

Roberto Cavalli Metallic Bracelet Bag, Handbag of the Day

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

Sparkly and golden, this handbag is sure to make you feel like a rockstar as you make your entrance at whatever event you take it to. It's the Metallic Bracelet Bag from Roberto Cavalli and it's really a two-for-one handbag and bracelet. It features gold metallic leather with a gold bangle bracelet that can either dangle off the bag or dangle on your wrist. It has a clasp closure on the top and a shiny leopard print lining. This is the kind of bag that will make you feel beautiful no matter what kind of day you're having! $1,165

Gallery: Roberto Cavalli's Metallic Bracelet Bag

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Tags: bag, bags, bracelet, bracelet bag, BraceletBag, cavalli, gold, golden, handbag of the day, HandbagOfTheDay, handbags, metallic, roberto cavalli, RobertoCavalli

Cavalli Picks Four Beauties to Replace Kate Moss

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Italian designer Roberto Cavalli has chosen four top models to replace Kate Moss (right) in his new Fall/Winter 2008-09 ad campaign. The campaign, to be shot by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, is inspired by one of our favorite movies, Luchino Visconti's 1963 Il Gattopardo ("The Leopard), based on the book by Giuseppe Tomasi Di Lampedusa.

The movie, set in Sicily in the 1860s, stars Burt Lancaster as an Italian prince struggling to maintain a dying aristocracy, Alain Delon as his dashing nephew, and the beautiful Claudia Cardinale as Angelica, daughter of a rich former peasant who represents the new social order. Cavalli has chosen models Isabeli Fontana, Angela Lindvall, Raquel Zimmerman and Frankie Rayder to play the parts of Cardinale and the movie's other beauties in the ads.

"I've always been aesthetically fascinated by this film," Cavalli tells Women's Wear Daily. "I also find Il Gattopardo, a story that's based on the idea that 'the more it changes, the more it stays the same,' a good metaphor for fashion. In the campaign, the heroine - a sort of new Angelica - dances in the wilderness while a fire rages in the background; she represents the force of everything that is new, yet in the end she dresses like a romantic debutante." We think Fontana for one is perfectly cast as she bears an uncanny resemblance to Cardinale.

Gallery: Cavalli's Gattopardo Girls