It’s mid- December and out in Dubai the fashion clique are swarming into the Fairmont Hotel. Not for its first-class room service, or impeccable restaurants but for its club.
The Cavalli Club reflects every characteristic, every distinguished trait that is Roberto Cavalli. Its red carpet snakes into a world where nothing is unattainable, where everything over-sized and drenched in diamantes is seized with open arms. Swarovski crystals drip from the ceiling, crystal chandeliers drape over the animal-printed thrones that circle the tables with weaving crystal curtains separating them. Nothing is too lavish, too extravagant or too garish for Cavalli.
As Roberto has so rightly said: “beautiful things are expensive” and in this instance he couldn’t be more correct. With grade 8 Wagyu beef, grilled Boston lobster and pure gold leaf maki on the menu at Cavalli Club, expensive is an understatement, where a vintage bottle of Cuvée Dom Perignon is priced well over £12,000. It is no surprise that he is dubbed the ‘King of Bling’ or that he has chosen to flaunt his Spring/Summer 2011 collection here.
After the crowds have stepped off the red carpet and pursed their lips around a few glasses of vintage champagne, the atmosphere is electric in anticipation. With all eyes surveying the runway and the paparazzi poised with expectancy awaiting the arrival of Cavalli’s latest collection, the lights dim, the music begins to pound and the show starts off with a bang.
With only five rows and eight models the show was one of exclusivity, not simplicity. It may not have one recurring theme, instead Cavalli combined his refined mix reflecting a vivid palate of colour, sexiness and a dash of classic prints. The models were everything you would expect to find on a Roberto Cavalli catwalk; beautifully elegant, yet oozing sex appeal and so were the clothes. Plunging necklines,thigh- high slits and corset style dresses left the audience longing in desire and envy.
With a refreshing splash of colour to welcome us into a new season the models paraded down the catwalk in flowing floor-length dresses splashed in electric blues, neon yellows and vibrant greens. As Cavalli has recently said he: “he loves beauty” and “he loves life” and the two for him are intertwined. He reflects these passions through the use of vibrant colours in his creations and today was no exception. “Colour. Beauty. Elegance” were the designer’s words as to what inspired this season’s collection.
He has also always been inspired by nature and this certainly is reflected in his latest collection with floral, leaf and snakeskin prints. And it wouldn’t be a Roberto Cavalli collection without his signature leopard print which pursued loose fitting blouses, one shoulder dresses and skin- tight trousers.
Similar trends for Spring/Summer 2011 were also seen on the catwalks this season. Explosions of neons and vibrant colours were seen on catwalks everywhere from Versace to Maxmara and seas of blues swarmed the Dior, Victor and Rolf and Prada catwalks. Nature may be Cavalli’s inspiration but it seems it was also the desire of other designers too this Spring. Floral maxis were spotted at Paul & Joe, Erdem and Topshop Unique, butterflies flittered over Alexander McQueen creations and giraffes and tigers gave an Africian vibe to Louis Vutton.
After last season’s trends of minimalistic chic, grunge glamour and its shades of deep purple, crimson and black, the new collection is refreshing and uplifting. And the crowd seem to think so too. After the last jaw-dropping dress, once Cavalli entered onto the catwalk blowing kisses to the crowds, the room was filled with the sound of applause, cheers and whistles as people rose from their seats to congratulate him. As Roberto Cavalli had told Time Out Dubai: “Middle Eastern women. They are my biggest fans in the whole world.”
“It (the collection) really was breathtaking. The clothes, the models, the music, the atmosphere. Everything was just incredible” said Alexandra Falgate, a PR girl working for the Pragma Group who have just been invested $150m by Roberto Cavalli to launch 20 more Cavalli Clubs and Cafes. “I love the sexiness and glamour behind his creations. He’s not just a fantastic designer but also such an extraordinary man, with such passion and his designs reflect that.”
It is no wonder he chose Dubai or in the words of Cavalli: “the future”. Dubai seems to be made for the Italian designer or maybe Cavalli was made for Dubai. Either way, it is no surprise that he has launched his first “lifestyle concept club” here. Talking to Georgina Wilson-Fowell, Cavalli described his attitude towards Dubai being: “a fantastic city and it is the future. The Cavalli Club is a big event for me, a dream that has been realised and Dubai has allowed that to happen for me.” With stores and high-end boutiques in America to Europe and now the Middle East, Cavalli is an empire. “What better suited city is there for Cavalli” Alexander explained: “Like his clothes, they are both extravagant, luxurious and ooze glamour.”
After locating Cavalli in the Roberto Lounge, I ask him if he thinks the show is a success. He remains silent. Instead, he takes a seat in between two women, throws his arms around them, holding a champagne glass in one hand, a lighted cigar in the other and smiles. I take that as a yes. It’s no surprise his smile never fails to falter. Why would it?
