ROBERTO CAVALLI clothes are those that demand a certain sort of lifestyle. Invariably that includes a yacht and some sun – and that was certainly the case this afternoon as the designer headed out into the ocean for inspiration but stayed above sea level (Armani took the plunge this morning) for a collection that took on nautical notes – but left them at just that, notes.
The maxi dresses in exotic shades and vivid prints that opened were made purely for lounging around in, perhaps an on-board waiter to cater to one’s every whim the only accessory needed. We saw these same styles with empire lines, beaded and shorter, and in lace too.
Cargo pants were purely decorative, in bejewelled lace as they were. There would be no ferrying of cargo in these.
Splashes of denim (for every designer is making sure they dabble with it this season) were shredded and ripped when it came to jeans, shirts and T-shirt tops. There was animal print (as there must be from Cavalli) in there too, again on those maxi dresses that you know will waft so well in the sea breeze.
And when the Cavalli crew do want to head back to shore for a night out next summer, they have their biker jackets (in black lace and sequins) to take them there, a little feathery bag and column gown or crystallised dropped-waist number to complete the look. The only question is: are you on board or not?
Jessica Bumpus