Because you can't have depths without surfaces.
Linda Grant, thinking about clothes, books and other matters.
Pure Collection Ltd.
Net-a-porter UK

Wednesday 28 May 2008

Smile corner

'There is a real vulgarity in the way women dress at the moment," purrs Roberto Cavalli, stubbing out his cigarette in a turtle-shaped gold ashtray and reaching into his green, lizard-skin manbag for a cigar. "They show off too much and try too hard. They don't understand where the line is between sexy and vulgar. I know where that line is."

Roberto Cavalli with Celia Walden
King of the world: Roberto Cavalli with Celia Walden

I expected many things from the 64-year-old Italian designer - lover of leopard-print and creator of red-carpet dresses that stay up against all the laws of physics - but not this. Remember the slashed, lime chiffon number worn by Victoria Beckham to her own Full Length and Fabulous ball?

There are many words to describe it: understated is not one of them. But then we are in Cavalli world - a floating parallel universe where the senses are assaulted by a frenzy of satiny animal prints, gilt, mahogany and orchids.



and on and on, a pleasure to read

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh that first paragraph is comedy gold! Cavalli sounds both old-fashioned and interesting, I think he's good to have around.

Anonymous said...

Brilliant!

Geri

StyleSpy said...

As we say in the American South, Ohhh, bless his heart...

Also -- did he get a new press agent or something recently? He's been everywhere lately.

Anonymous said...

I' ve seen several interviews of Roberto Cavalli and he really does come over as a sweetie. And how lovely to read of a man who says such wonderful things about his wife! His work is quite amazing and since he abandoned the tarty look a couple of years ago he's produced some beautiful collections that women of all ages can wear. One of my favourite women, Marta Marzotto, wears his kaftans, and she's in her 70s.

Linda, you're right - a pleasure to read. Long may he reign!

Disneyrollergirl.net said...

Priceless! PS, I thought he split up from the wife?

Belle de Ville said...

Parallel Universe indeed.