Roberto Cavalli, Italian fashion designer whose creations adorned celebrities, dies at 83

Roberto Cavalli, founder of the eponymous Italian fashion house and whose bold and intricate designs were worn by Taylor Swift, Madonna, Beyoncé and other A-listers, has died. He was 83.

His company, which he founded in 1970, announced the news on Instagram Friday.

"It is with great sadness that today we say our final goodbyes to our founder Roberto Cavalli. From humble beginnings in Florence Roberto succeeded in becoming a globally recognised name loved and respected by all," the statement reads.

"Naturally talented and creative, Roberto believed that everyone can discover and nurture the artist within themselves," the message continues. "Roberto Cavalli's legacy will live on via his creativity, his love of nature and via his family who he cherished."

Fausto Puglisi, the brand's creative director, said in a statement, "Dear Roberto, you may not be physically here with us anymore but I know I will feel your spirit with me always. It is the greatest honour of my career to work under your legacy and to create for the brand you founded with such vision and style."

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He concluded, "Rest in peace you will be missed and you are loved by so many that your name will continue on, a beacon of inspiration for others, and especially for me."

The fashion house also shared a quote by Cavalli: "I copy the dress of an animal because I love to copy God. I think God is the most fantastic designer."

His designs were recognizable for their bold prints inspired by zebras, jaguars, cheetahs and more. In February, the during Milan Fashion Week, the brand debuted its fall/winter 2024-25 collection, designed by Puglisi and featuring marble-inspired prints that were called an "ode to metamorphosis, with polychrome marbles representing and inspiring a woman's readiness to transform, evolve, and reinterpret herself."

Taylor Swift, Zendaya, Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, more celebrities who've worn Roberto Cavalli

Cavalli's designs have been worn by plenty of stars over the years as they graced red carpets, gave the performance of a lifetime on stages and created new music videos.

Recently, Miley Cyrus' stylist went into the archives for her latest video with Pharrell Williams, "Doctor (Work It Out)."

The piece is described by the fashion house as "a bustier mini dress in black silk, embroidered all over with silver sequins and fringed hems" that debuted in the designer's spring/summer 2004 collection.

"The Little Mermaid" star Halle Bailey has also worn a few Cavalli creations over the years, including a fall/winter 2003-2004 gown from the archives, which features a unique blue-and-yellow print and a plunging neckline, that she donned at the 2024 People's Choice Awards earlier this year.

Cavalli designs have also been worn by Zendaya, who's styled by Law Roach, who sported a pink leather mini dress at a surprise appearance during Labrinth's Coachella set last year.

The "Dune" actor also donned a gray fringed Cavalli maxi dress with a crocodile-inspired print and deep neckline, from the brand's spring/summer 2011 collection, at the Green Carpet Fashion Awards last month.

The biggest concert tours of 2023 featured many Roberto Cavalli creations that were designed by Puglisi, the brand's creative director since October 2020.

Beyoncé wore a custom-made skin-tight bodysuit bedazzled with Swarovski crystals during the Atlanta stop of her Renaissance World Tour last August. The bodice involves blue-colored flames flickering up her torso and with cutouts at the tops of her thighs.

Swift also wore a similar cobalt blue two-piece set, featuring a hand-beaded bralette and a skirt, to make her "1989 (Taylor's Version" announcement during her slate of Los Angeles shows on her Eras Tour last August.

Several of her Eras Tour looks were made by the fashion house as well, from the one-legged asymmetrical catsuit with snake designs seen during her "Reputation" set to the two-piece beaded ensemble, which comes in multiple colors, in her "1989" portion of the show, to the gold fringe dress featured during "Fearless."

Model Adriana Lima, who has also worn various Cavalli looks throughout her career, paid tribute to the designer in an Instagram Story Friday, writing over photo of the two at an event, "Unapologetic in style & spirit. We lost a legend today.

"Rest in peace, @roberto_cavalli."