Roberto Cavalli Passes at 83
Designer Roberto Cavalli has passed away today in Florence at the age of 83. Born into a family with an artistic heritage, his grandfather Giuseppe Rossi was a prominent figure of the Macchiaioli movement, with his works showcased at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Cavalli diverged from his family’s artistic lineage to pursue a career in fashion design, studying at the Art Institute of Florence. In 1970, he launched his eponymous fashion brand, unveiling his debut collection at the Salon du Prêt-à-Porter in Paris, hosted at the Porte de Versailles. Innovating and patenting a groundbreaking printing process on leather in the early 1970s, Cavalli’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish his first boutique, Limbo, in Saint Tropez in 1972. The boutique’s remarkable success earned him an invitation to showcase his leather creations in the prestigious Sala Bianca in Florence the following year, alongside fashion houses such as Missoni, Krizia, Fendi, and Basile. Cavalli was renowned for his glamorous lifestyle and distinctive bohemian aesthetic, characterized by bold animal prints, bejeweled distressed denim, and alluring dresses. Beyond his creative pursuits, he diversified his brand into various sectors, including accessories, fragrances, and home décor. After a first marriage to Silvanella Giannoni in 1977, Cavalli served as a judge at Miss Universe in the Dominican Republic, where he met contestant Eva Maria Düringer, whom he married in 1980. She became his main collaborator and was named creative director in 1994. His design empire encompassed several lines, including the youthful Just Cavalli collections, the sophisticated Cavalli Class bridge line, and the Roberto Cavalli junior line. Additionally, his hospitality ventures included the establishment of Cavalli Clubs and Cafés in cities worldwide, from Miami to Dubai. Peter Dundas succeeded the founder in 2015 as the founder transitioned away from the fashion industry, and in 2017, Paul Surridge succeeded Dundas for a two-year stint. Despite facing challenges, including financial setbacks and changes in ownership, Cavalli’s brand persevered under the current stewardship of Dubai-based real estate developer Vision Investment Co. LLC. Fausto Puglisi took the helm as lead designer in 2021, infusing new energy into the brand with designs that honored Cavalli’s original vision. [WWD]
The Fashion Trust U.S. Winners
The Fashion Trust U.S. the organization, dedicated to nurturing emerging design talent, unveiled its 2024 winners in a star-studded gala this past Tuesday. Hosted by Zooey Deschanel, the event spotlighted honorees across various categories, including ready-to-wear, jewelry, accessories, and recent graduates. Notably, the organization recognized achievements in inclusivity and sustainability, distributing nearly $500,000 in funding among the winners.The selection process involved a distinguished panel of industry experts, including board members Tania Fares, Laura Brown, Karla Welch, Tan France, Maha Dakhil, and Anne Crawford, supported by presenting sponsor Shop with Google. Advisory members, including Maria Cornejo, Phillip Lim, and Isabel Marant, alongside ambassadors, founding patrons, and representatives from Shop with Google, contributed to the selection of winners. The Inclusivity Award, sponsored by Shop with Google, was presented to Ashley Harris of Don’t Let Disco by Emma Grede, CEO, and co-founder of Good American, and Aurora James, founder of Brother Vellies and the Fifteen Percent Pledge. Cynthia Erivo presented the Jewelry Award to MoAnA Luu of ManLuu, while Isabel Marant awarded the Accessories Award to Esha Soni, sponsored by Builder Ai. Yamil Arbaje received the Graduate Award, sponsored by St. John, for his exploration of youth culture and representations of Latin American masculinity. Batsheva Hay was honored with the Sustainability Award, and Harbison Studio claimed the Ready-to-Wear Award, presented by Da’Vine Joy Randolph and her stylists, the duo Wayman and Micah. Each winner received a crafted trophy designed by jewelry artisan Nigora Tokhtabayeva of Tabayer. Fashion Trust U.S. provides winners with grants ranging from $100,000 to $200,000, complemented by invaluable mentoring. Eligibility extends to both U.S. citizens and noncitizens, with the stipulation that businesses must be based and registered in the U.S., employ American creators and workers, and have operated for a minimum of two years and a maximum of seven years. [WWD]
Three Films Produced by Saint Laurent Picked For Cannes Film Festival
Luxury French house Saint Laurent continues to make waves in the film industry with its production arm, Saint Laurent Productions. Since its inception just last year, the company has co-produced three films that have earned coveted spots in the official selection of the 77th Cannes Film Festival: Emilia Perez by Jacques Audiard, The Shrouds by David Cronenberg, and Parthenope by Paolo Sorrentino. These films featured performances by acclaimed actors such as Zoe Saldana, Selena Gomez, and Vincent Cassel. Additionally, Saint Laurent Productions has collaborated with renowned directors like the late Jean-Luc Godard and Pedro Almodóvar. The Cannes Festival organizers, including director Thierry Frémaux, announced the official selection for the 2024 edition, with Greta Gerwig set to chair the jury. The outcomes of the festival, including any potential awards for Saint Laurent Productions, will be revealed on Monday. [BoF]
The Fashion Scholarship Fund Gala
Another nonprofit award show recently graced the stage: The Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF) held its annual gala on Monday night, celebrating the 162 scholars comprising its class of 2024 and unveiling notable improvements to the Virgil Abloh “Post Modern” Scholars program. Launched in 2020 with a $1 million seed capital, the scholarship has continued to evolve following Abloh’s passing from a rare cancer in late 2021, with his wife, Shannon Abloh, actively collaborating with the FSF to advance its initiatives.Now, the program is introducing a three-year strategic plan aimed at doubling its cohort from 30 scholars in 2024 to 60 the following year. This expansion is accompanied by the introduction of Bridge Fund grants designed to eliminate immediate financial barriers, such as the cost of international flights for internships, and a concerted effort to open up the grant to talents from a wider range of backgrounds, including community colleges. During the gala, Shannon Abloh said, “Virgil had a habit that people often think the mountain they’re looking to climb is too high. But it actually isn’t. Anything is possible if you build and move together. When it came to change we both wanted to see in this world, he was impatient. That vision and impatience pays off.” Stylist and entrepreneur Karla Welch ushered in the festivities by introducing Tracee Ellis Ross, who received recognition for her disruptive multi-million dollar beauty business, Pattern. Michael Burke, Chairman and Chief Executive Office of LVMH Fashion Group was welcomed to the stage by Spike Lee , who praised him for being a true champion of diverse talent. Pete Nordstrom, president and chief brand officer of Nordstrom, was also honored for his dedication to supporting and fostering next-gen talent. Accepting the award on his behalf was his cousin and chief merchandising officer at Nordstrom, Jamie Nordstrom. [Vogue]
The Fashion Institute of Technology to Honor Norma Kamali, Kenneth Cole, and Rebecca Hessel Cohen
The Fashion Institute of Technology is gearing up to honor FIT alumna Norma Kamali, Kenneth Cole, and Rebecca Hessel Cohen at their Annual Awards Gala at The Glasshouse in New York on May 8th. The gala will commence with FIT’s Future of Fashion Runway Show, presented by Macy’s, showcasing pieces from the fashion design BFA class of 2024. Proceeds from the event will support the FIT Foundation, committed to nurturing the next generation of FIT students through programs, initiatives, and scholarships. Norma Kamali, acclaimed designer, entrepreneur, and innovator, will receive the Outstanding Alumni Award in recognition of her transformative contributions to the industry, including pioneering creations like the sleeping bag coat. Kenneth Cole, renowned designer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and activist, will be honored with the Social Impact Award for his advocacy work, particularly in mental health. Rebecca Hessel Cohen, founder and creative director of LoveShackFancy, will be recognized with the Entrepreneurship Award for her achievements in fashion, retail, and fragrance.This marks Macy’s third year sponsoring the Future of Fashion Runway Show, showcasing talented student designers through the retailer’s social purpose platform, Mission Every One. Macy’s will present the Macy’s Empowerment Design Award and the Macy’s Capsule Collection Award during the event. The winner of the latter will have their design produced and sold under Macy’s private brand Bar III in 2025. [WWD]
Industry Access: Vogue’s Mark Guiducci, Nicole Phelps, and José Criales-Unzueta
Models.com discussion panel with three key members of Vogue presents an exciting opportunity to speak on how the publisher continues to fulfill its role at the forefront of the industry. For Models.com Industry Access, Vogue’s Creative Editorial Director Mark Guiducci, Global Director of Vogue Runway and Vogue Business Nicole Phelps, and Fashion News Writer José Criales-Unzueta all speak on the industry, from gauging consumer psychology through creative content to the success factors for fashion brands in an era of elevated costs and an attention deficit economy. Check out the conversation here.
Ryan Chappell on Creating Art Through Movement
Models.com speaks to Australian-born, movement director, Ryan Chappell about immersing himself in diverse roles, from choreographing theatre to designing menswear and interning for Celine under Phoebe Philo. Fast forward to today, Chappell’s focus has the set the tone for brands like Alexander McQueen, Loewe, and Jacquemus. As the next artist for Behind The Image, the series taking a personal look at established and emerging fashion industry artists, Models.com speaks to Chappell about what he hopes his audience takes away from his work and who he thinks is the one to watch. Check out the interview here.
These Models Showcase Three of the Latest Street Style Trends: Biker Glasses, Moto City, and Headbands
During fashion month, Models.com noticed how the muses of the runway are often the best showcase of style in realtime. From the latest threads to accessories, many a notable name dusted off their best looks as they stormed through New York, London, Milan, and Paris. With images by resident photographer Melodie Jeng, Models.com takes a closer look at all the trends that defined streetstyle and were on our radar. Check out all the trends here.
Model of the Week: Franziska Jetzek Took Her First Runway Spin at Louis Vuitton
Models.com spoke to Franziska Jetzek about debuting at Louis Vuitton, working with Calvin Klein, and her dreams of opening up a cafe. Check out the interview here.
MDC Selects: Meet The New Faces Scouted From Around the World
Meet the latest six rookies who speak four languages and are passionate about sports. Check it out here.
