End of an era: Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli passes away

What Roberto Cavalli is famous for

Roberto Cavalli was born on November 15, 1940, in Florence in an artistic family. His grandfather Giuseppe Rossi was a famous painter. Cavalli studied at the Florence Academy of Art.

At first, Cavalli was exploring art and was a painter, then he worked as a photographer. In the early 1970s, Cavalli invented and patented a new procedure for printing on leather and presented his works in the patchwork technique to the public. At the same time, he presented his first collection at a pret-a-porter show in Paris.

At the age of 30, the fashion designer opened his first fashion boutique in Saint-Tropez, France.

In 1998, Cavalli opened the Just Cavalli line: men's and women's clothing, accessories, optics, watches, perfumes, underwear, and beachwear.

His net worth is estimated at over £400 million ($477 million). Cavalli resided near Florence in his villa. The cause of his death has not yet been reported.

Cavalli is survived by two children from his first marriage and three from his second marriage.

Roberto Cavalli (photo: corriere.it)

The designer created his own style, which conquered fashionistas worldwide. The distinctive features of Cavalli's style include:

• Animal skin prints
• Rhinestones
• Soft leather
• Patchwork

The designer collaborated with many celebrities and world models. Among the admirers of Cavalli's design talent are celebrities such as Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Salma Hayek, Victoria Beckham, Shakira, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Halle Berry, and many others.

Animal print often appeared in Cavalli's collections, that's why the fashion designer was called the "king of animal print".

Cavalli popularized animal print (photo: UNN)

Cavalli popularized animal print (photo: UNN)

Spice Girls in a Roberto Cavalli outfit (photo: Vogue)

Recently, we reported that the oldest man on the planet died.