Roberto Cavalli Wins Fashion Group International's 'Provacateur Award'
Oct 21, 2002/ FW/ --- On Thursday the 24th of October, Roberto Cavalli will be honored with a
prestigious award from the Fashion Group International.
The theme of the event is "The Provocateurs: those who dare."
He is honored along with Sean Combs,
Manolo Blahnik, Victor&Rolf, Baz Luhrmann and Graydon Carter for their
significant impact on the fashion, film and media industries.
Roberto Cavalli, whose design business is based in Milan began his American adventure in
the 1970s, becoming famous for his patchwork and new techniques of printing leather.
He subsequently opened his studio in Florence.
In 1997, thanks to the re-birth, in the Italian and European markets, of the legendary Cavalli
stretch/printed jeans, Roberto Cavalli decides to take on the American market full-force.
Fashion during that time is dominated by the "minimalist" look while Roberto Cavalli offers a
sensual and colorful woman with animal prints and sexy silhouettes.
His arrival does not cause immediate commotion, but soon the music and entertainment worlds
catch on to Roberto Cavalli's outrageous and exotic style.
Jennifer Lopez, who had just begun her career as a singer, chooses Roberto Cavalli for her
first video "If you had my love."
In the fall of 1999, Roberto Cavalli opens his first boutique on New York's Madison Avenue.
His opening is celebrated by the likes of Lenny Kravitz and other celebrities who are fans
of Cavalli's "glam rock" style.
In two years Roberto Cavalli's collection, available only at specialty stores around the
country like Maxfields and Stanley Korshak, has conquered a strong place in the American
market: today it is present in 34 doors in Neiman Marcus.
In 2001 Bergdorf Goodman tests the Cavalli line on its clientele with a minimum order.
At the beginning of the season the sell through, at a 60% high, is such a success that the
next season an entire boutique on the exclusive second floor is dedicated to Roberto Cavalli.
In the summer of 2002, Bergdorf Goodman grants Roberto Cavalli the cover of their seasonal
magazine.
In May of 2002, Roberto Cavalli opens his second boutique in Bal Harbour.
In June of the same year the boutique is, according to the Bal Harbour report, the best
selling boutique in the mall.
The third Roberto Cavalli boutique is opened in Las Vegas at the Forum Shop in November of 2002.
Today Roberto Cavalli distributes twelve different lines including eyewear, perfumes,
watches, shoes, children's, lingerie, bags, home, swimwear and jeans with an estimated
revenue of 150 million dollars.
Since 1999 Roberto Cavalli has dressed Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears,
Tina Turner, Cher, Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, Alicia Keys, Gloria
Estefan, Susan Sarandon, Sarah Jessica Parker, Cindy Crawford, Halle
Berry, Jon Bon Jovi, Lenny Kravitz, Ricky Martin, Catherine Zeta-Jones,
Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Heidi Klum, Heather Locklear, Bono,
Asia Argento, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Thalia, Paulina Rubio, Beyonce
Knowles, Carol Alt, Iman, Kim Cattrall, Eve, Aaliyah, Christina
Aguilera, Macy Gray, Backstreet Boys, Enrique Iglesias, Lenny Kravitz,
Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sandra Bullock, Candace Bushnell, Cyndi Lauper.
|
Designer Roberto Cavalli
(Photo by PRNewsFoto)
|
