Roberto Cavalli A/W 2014

Seven female models wearing black and white pieces from Roberto Cavalli's collection. Some pieces are patterned, some are sleeveless and some feature fur. The background is black — (Image credit: Jason Lloyd-Evans)

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 female models wearing looks from Roberto Cavalli's collection. One model is wearing a black fur jacket. Next to her is a model wearing a white blouse, trousers, coat and long necklace. And the third model is wearing a off-white coloured belted coat. There are other people in the background

Five female models wearing looks from Roberto Cavalli's collection. One model is wearing a black and grey piece. Another model is wearing a black blouse and black fur jacket. And next to her are two models wearing white blouses, trousers, long necklaces and jackets with one model's jacket featuring off-white coloured fur. The fourth model is wearing a white blouse, trousers and off-white coloured coat with buttons

Six female models wearing multicoloured patterned pieces from Roberto Cavalli's collection. Some pieces feature fur and some are sleeveless

Four female models wearing looks from Roberto Cavalli's collection. One model is wearing a black and grey sleeveless piece with fur. Another model is wearing a black leather coat with fur. Next to her is another model wearing a black and grey cape style piece. And the fourth model is wearing a black belted fur jacket Two models are wearing sunglasses and there are other people in the background

JJ Martin