After last season’s debut, which was met with a lukewarm reception at best, designer Peter Dundas went back to Roberto Cavalli’s roots with a collection that oozed rock and roll glamour and after-dark allure.
The perfect equal to his menswear offering in January, this lineup was all about eye-catching pieces with a rich bohemian gypsy soul. Think Stevie Nicks meets Steven Tyler, meaning long and lean looks with a good dose of sequins, some bell sleeves and an abundance of shimmering, almost floor-skimming, scarves.
There was a strong Art Nouveau element to the show, the dramatic intarsia furs and the denim embellished with colorful abstract graphics appliqué made a nice counterpoint to the shimmering beaded sheer gowns and the purple velvet pieces finished off with gold accents. All of it working seamlessly together in a comfortable way that proved Dundas knows this style inside and out.
It is great that the Cavalli brand has someone like Dundas at the helm. His aesthetic is a modern day extension of the founder’s style. And this time by embracing that fact whole-heartedly, instead of pulling away from it, Dundas tuned in a solid show. It is from this place of strength that he can now begin, much like as he did at Pucci, to make the brand his own.
