The scalding ring of fire that curved around a pool of water at the Roberto Cavalli show ignited a fierce setting for the Florentine designer's tribal infused show. As the models strutted out in vacuum sucked python pants and jackets trimmed with fox collars, one could almost imagine them hooting and hollering on their stiletto pin-heels like ancient warriors giving thanks to the gods before the flames. In reality, the Cavalli woman will shower her thanks directly on Roberto next winter as the designer delivered a fantastic fusion of roaring wild kingdom sexiness and 1920s chic. Much like last season, the silhouettes were planted in the jazz age where drop-waist flapper dresses created a refined, but highly spirited look. Cavalli brought his own unique flavour to these classic shapes by cutting the fringe from every leather, skin, feather and fur he could get his animal loving hands on. Similarly speaking, printing and metal studding created intricate patterns over the clothes, adding to the indigenous vibe. But these clothes were anything but primitive: a chinchilla coat with alligator arms, leather studded flapper fringe, pierced and punched to oblivion, and a finale of crunchy bead-embroidered sheer gowns, all screamed modern civilization.
Photography: Jason Lloyd-Evans
-
Three sleek new design showrooms you need to see in Los AngelesThree international design showrooms have started a retail design boom in Los Angeles. Here are the stores to put on your radar
-
Brutalism in film: the beautiful house that forms the backdrop to The Room Next DoorThe Room Next Door's production designer discusses mood-boarding and scene-setting for a moving film about friendship, fragility and the final curtain
-
How Leigh Bowery and the Blitz Kids defined 1980s subculture with make-upAs Leigh Bowery and the Blitz Kids of 1980s London are celebrated in a new exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum, Isobel Van Dyke explores the hair and make-up looks that defined them
-
Milan Fashion Week Men’s S/S 2023: Fendi to PradaFrom Prada’s exploration of archetypal menswear garments to JW Anderson’s much-anticipated debut in the city, the best of Milan Fashion Week Men’s S/S 2023, as it happens
-
Milan Fashion Week A/W 2022: Prada to Bottega VenetaIn this extended report, Scarlett Conlon reports live from the Milan Fashion Week A/W 2022 shows, with rolling coverage as they take place on the runway
-
Giorgio Armani A/W 2020 Milan Fashion Week Women's -
Bottega Veneta A/W 2020 Milan Fashion Week Women's -
Ports 1961 A/W 2020 Milan Fashion Week Women's -
BOSS A/W 2020 Milan Fashion Week Women's -
Dolce & Gabbana A/W 2020 Milan Fashion Week Women's -
Salvatore Ferragamo A/W 2020 Milan Fashion Week Women's
