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Cavalli's Lads in Lapland
By Godfrey Deeny
Photos by Gruber-FWD
MILAN, Jan 15, 2003 /FWD/ --- Get ready for an Arctic moment next winter: In the world
according to Roberto Cavalli, we will dress like explorers in the Far North when we head off
to a nightclub.
Italy's reigning king of rock'n'roll fashion, Cavalli was at his usual anything-goes best
Monday in Milan presenting a men's collection, which he described as "between Ziggy Stardust,
Studio 54 and Lapland styles."
His heady, outlandish brew of style was all the more impressive considering that Cavalli has
never set foot in Lapland.
He's more of a Tuscan estate and Miami nightclub sort of guy, a 60-something who smokes a
pipe and hangs out with pals Lenny Kravitz and J. Lo.
Staged on a resin runway made to look like ice with an enormous faux igloo for a backdrop,
the show was the usual high-energy power play that is Cavalli's signature.
The opening tribe of longhaired nomads appeared with backpacks covered in raccoon, fox and
wolf skins and majorly lumpy sweaters bedecked with Lap motifs.
Their leader sauntered by wrapped in a massive outlandish reindeer blanket with embroidered
details - great for a nightclub entrance, but impossible to dance in.
Boots were made of wild skins, cargo pants of patchwork camouflage.
The calmest look in the collection was a rust-colored double-breasted suede jacket worn over
striped mink pants.
"I loved it. The workmanship was incredible," said rap producer Aurelius 7, in town with his
buddy and fashion collection partner King Pin to check out the shows.
Aurelius 7, as in the Roman Emperor Marcus, seemed just right for a Cavalli front row -
he sports a huge nail through his lower lip and has 7 tattooed on his cheek.
Yet there's a method to Cavalli's madness. His fashion is way too much for most mere mortals,
but just right for rock stars, and when toned down for boutiques, has an amazing sell-through.
No wonder the show was packed with department store executives.
And Cavalli doesn't stop with fashion. His recently opened restaurant, Just Cavalli --
situated at the top of tower in Milan's finest central park, Gardini Publici -- is the
hottest eatery in town. And invitations to his dinners are desperately sought after.
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