MaryElise.com :: Fashion > Versace & Cavalli Winter 2004/2005

Designer Spotlight
Versace/Cavalli 04/05 Winter Collections
By: Mary Elise Chavez
Posted Fall 2004

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Roberto Cavalli Fall '04:: Images courtesy of Style.com.

Along with Versace, Roberto Cavalli has carved his way through the world of Fashion, and made not only a name for himself, but an empire as well. The company also has had marvelous amounts of success, spanning from menswear to womenswear, eyewear to accessories, beauty products to celebrity gowns, his name is known, recognized, and realized. Mirroring Versace’s unconventional and sensuous designs, Cavalli preys on color, it must be vibrant, it must be intense, and it must captivate the viewer and trance them. When most think of Cavalli, they are reminded of his ongoing love affair with chiffon. Used in gowns, tunics, and cropped dresses, Cavalli continues to use this fabric to maintain his relaxed, yet glamorous image.

Unlike Versace, which continually focuses on the look of blatant wealth and instant enticement, Cavalli is laidback. A strong sense of comfort is demonstrated through his ensembles, and by the simple glance at one of his creations, you are able to take a breath, soak it in, slowly and peacefully. He focuses on making the woman comfortable, beautiful, sexual, powerful, but modest, all at the same time. Whether it is one of his many celebrity clients, or a laidback summer ensemble, both display sophistication, luxury, sensuality, and give the body a type of convenience, able to move the way it wants, free of all constraints.

Cavalli’s designs dance with the eye and with the body, luring it in, into a state of helplessness. He uses intense tones, wild prints (including animal), velvety furs, and silks as smooth as chocolate. The extraordinary materials he uses are heightened to a state of unparallel beauty, when he discovers the silhouette he will work with. Each one of his creations spotlights a certain body part; he celebrates the delicate nature of a woman. Highlighting her collarbone as the key feature, or the chisel of a woman’s hip, he allows his garments to flow over the body, resulting in a flawless, untouched, absolutely splendid canvas.

To assist in the unblemished completeness in his designs, he uses neutrals quite often. Contrasting them with decadent crimsons, hypnotic emeralds, and mouthwatering plums, Cavalli creates a well-balanced color weight. Neutrals such as deep camels, rich browns, and warm creams, add to Cavalli’s bohemian edge. That same edge is transferred over to his runway shows. Cavalli favors minimalist over indulgence. He believes his clothes will speak for themselves; therefore, his runway shows often have very neutral and understated backgrounds. He uses nature to spruce up the otherwise, dull and lifeless runway, resulting in warmth and pleasure for the viewer. He carries the element of nature into his designs as well, using vibrant leaf greens, animal prints, and the flow of chiffon to mirror the passionate environment.

Cavalli is passionate himself, and credits that from his humble beginnings, with his parents as his artistic inspiration, who were artists themselves. He creates stunning, sophisticated, flawless designs, which are spellbinding to both the one adorned, and the viewer. He has been granted a rare gift; he has successfully created a relationship with the female body, he knows what works, he knows how to accentuate the true beauty of a woman and for that, he will continue to conquer whichever market he dives into.

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