Roberto Cavalli

Beauty Interview

How Roberto Cavalli's New Face Stays Gorgeous

You may not know her by name yet, but Elisa Sednaoui is changing that.

You may not know her by name yet, but Elisa Sednaoui is changing that. The face of the latest Roberto Cavalli fragrance, this multilingual model portrays one head-turning tigress in the spot above. She's something of a renaissance woman, too; this 24-year-old with Italian, Egyptian, and French heritage has used her modeling career to catapult her to other opportunities like acting and directing a music video. And on top of that, hello — she's gorgeous. She's sharing her best beauty advice (it's refreshingly down-to-earth!), so read more

Beauty Interview

Roberto Cavalli: "Every Woman Is a Supermodel"

Within 30 seconds of observing Roberto Cavalli, this much is clear: he doesn't just like women.


Within 30 seconds of observing Roberto Cavalli, this much is clear: he doesn't just like women. He adores them. Whether making eye contact with his longtime wife, Eva, or greeting this reporter with a kiss on the hand, the Italian designer has an appreciation for all things feminine. And as he launches his new eponymous fragrance, it's no surprise that he has women on the mind. He's opened his showroom to talk about the scent, which is represented by model Elisa Sednaoui, a 24-year-old polyglot filmmaker who also happens to look stunning in a plunging Cavalli gown. (That's her above.)

Cavalli has already released a string of fragrances in the past decade, but this one, he says, is different. His first with Coty, it's a blend of pink peppercorn, orange flower, and roasted tonka beans. "It is a perfect perfume because it's not too much," he says, looking pleased with the result. "It's delicate, it's soft, it's very young." Young, but not too young — in the same way that Cavalli's animal-print gowns need to be worn with confidence, the fragrance has a certain sophistication that leans more womanly than girlish.

Cavalli has said that he designs clothes for women who want to be noticed, but he insists that attitude, not a "perfect" model physique, is the key to wearing one of his creations. "What does it mean to be a supermodel?" he asks. "To be tall and skinny? Absolutely not. Every woman is a supermodel. A supermodel is a woman who's feminine and strong. Many women are more beautiful than they think."

Roberto Cavalli, the fragrance, is available now.

fashion week

Roberto Cavalli Fall 2012

Mini and maxi silhouettes, electric-hued animal prints, and decadent furs ruled the runway at Roberto Cavalli's bohemian-cum-glam Fall 2012 collection.
Roberto Cavalli Runway Fall 2012

Mini and maxi silhouettes, electric-hued animal prints, and decadent furs ruled the runway at Roberto Cavalli's bohemian-cum-glam Fall 2012 collection. Our full review will be posted shortly, but for now, click through to see the full collection.

fashion week

Roberto Cavalli Fall 2012

>> It's been a busy 24 hours for Roberto Cavalli.
Roberto Cavalli Fall 2012

>> It's been a busy 24 hours for Roberto Cavalli. Not only did the designer dress more celebrities — including supermodels Alessandra Ambrosio, Cindy Crawford, and Bar Refaeli — than anyone else at last night's Oscars festivities, but he also closed out the week in Milan with what had to be the second-most-talked-about finale of the season: Naomi Campbell's return to the catwalk.

In true Cavalli fashion, the collection was decadent, extravagant, and lavishly glamorous. There was fur, leather, and exotic skins in every shape, color, and form — including tromp l'oeil prints on chiffon and silk that re-created the look of animal skins. There were sparkling beads, sequins, embroidery, and ruffles aplenty, plus "micro feathers" and lace. Silhouettes were super short or maxi — because for Cavalli, of course, there is no in-between.

"An earthly paradise populated by creatures of fantasy . . . the Eden of femininity . . . my creativity is expressed through clothes which make the Cavalli woman a sensual and mysterious being," Cavalli explained.

fashion week

Just Cavalli Fall 2012

Roberto Cavalli may have mixed things up a bit for the Fall 2012 showing of his bridge line, Just Cavalli, but the collection wasn't without the designer's signature rock 'n' roll sensibilities.
Just Cavalli Runway Fall 2012

Roberto Cavalli may have mixed things up a bit for the Fall 2012 showing of his bridge line, Just Cavalli, but the collection wasn't without the designer's signature rock 'n' roll sensibilities. Models were outfitted in super-skinny trousers, mixed-media-style frocks (think houndstooth and ocelot, zebra-print and Aztec zigzags), and playfully sexy Lurex tops, lending a vibrant, lighthearted '60s spin on an otherwise rocker-cool runway show. Cavalli did bring some new silhouettes into the picture, however — he showed sleek, slouchy patent-leather pants in hues of nude, red, and gray and also introduced a tailored, oversize menswear-inspired coat with leather lapels. More details on the Just Cavalli collection below.

  • Trends: Patent leather, fitted trousers, and, of course, animal prints.
  • Colors: Black, camel, red, nude, olive, forest green.
  • Key Piece: The allover leopard-print cape with bronze leggings; the champagne-colored dress dripping with paillettes.
  • Accessories: Glitter-covered ankle booties and mixed-print drawstring satchels.
  • Who Would Wear It: Cavalli connoisseurs like Miley Cyrus and Fergie.
fashion week

Just Cavalli Fall 2012

>> It wouldn't be Cavalli without a heavy dose of animal print.
Just Cavalli Fall 2012

>> It wouldn't be Cavalli without a heavy dose of animal print. This season, the ocelot and leopard covered '60s drop-waist dresses, wide-leg crop pants, and high-neck blouses. Adding to the playful spirit was a plethora of super-shiny patent, shimmering lamé, and metallic leather.

Sarah Jessica Parker

All the Best Looks From Last Night's amfAR Gala

>> Last night's amfAR gala to kick off Fall 2012 Fashion Week had it all.
amfAR New York Gala to Kick Off Fall 2012 Fashion Week

>> Last night's amfAR gala to kick off Fall 2012 Fashion Week had it all. There were superstars (Julianne Moore, Sarah Jessica Parker), icons (Carine Roitfeld, Roberto Cavalli), and way too many supermodels to count — Heidi Klum, Cindy Crawford, Molly Sims, Erin Heatherton, and Anja Rubik, just to name a few. Cavalli, who was honored at the event, offered insight into his newfound passion: social media. "I discovered I love to write. It's a new emotion," the designer explained. "I love to watch when people write me back, it's such love." See images from the evening — which raised $1.4 million for AIDS research, prevention, and education — here.

Red Carpet

Golden Globes: Kate Beckinsale

Kate Beckinsale was a sight of perfection on the Golden Globes red carpet.

Kate Beckinsale was a sight of perfection on the Golden Globes red carpet. The beautiful brunette radiated in a strapless gown by Roberto Cavalli paired with diamond stacked bangles and stunning oversized earrings. The fit and flare mermaid silhouette fit her body like a glove, and we like how she kept her makeup simple via a slight smoky eye and a dab of pink lip gloss. Are you loving her look?

Vote on all of our Golden Globe Awards polls here!

Red Carpet

American Music Awards: Mary J. Blige

R&B legend Mary J.

R&B legend Mary J. Blige arrived at the AMAs looking confident in a single-sleeved leopard print gown by Roberto Cavalli. It's bold and beautiful, just like the singer herself — and we love how she accessorized with standout statement earrings. A swooped updo, long lashes, and a natural glossy lip are her finishing touches. Do you love her look?

Vote on all of our American Music Awards polls here!