It Is Being Reported That Fausto Puglisi Is Roberto Cavalli’s New Creative Director

MILAN, ITALY — According to sources, Sicilian designer Fausto Puglisi has been appointed the new creative director of Roberto Cavalli.

This isn’t the first time Puglisi’s name is associated with the brand, he was rumored to join the house in 2017, but Paul Surridge was chosen for the position, succeeding Peter Dundas (see it here)

Surridge exited the house in 2019, at the time, sources said the designer over the past few months had grown increasingly frustrated because of the lack of investment in the development and refurbishment of the store network as well as in marketing and communications. He is also said to feel the design team had not been supported, as resources have been scarce (see it here).

Since Surridge exited, the collections have been designed by an in-house team.

In July 2019, D.M. Fashion Book reported that the Roberto Cavalli brand was sold to Dubai-based property developer Damac. Vision Investment Co. LLC, controlled by Hussain Sajwani, the founder and chairman of the Damac Properties Group is the new owner of Roberto Cavalli SpA (see it here).

Sajwani is looking to relaunch the brand with the help of Puglisi, sources say.

At the time of this post, the company nor Puglisi did not released a statement.

Born in 1976 in Messina, Sicily, Puglisi launched his namesake label in 2010. His aesthetic is rooted in sexy femininity and a bold, flamboyant approach to fashion, best embodied by his staple leather gladiator-inspired minidresses. Along with animal prints, vibrant patterns and Ancient Rome references, his collections blend nods to Baroque architecture with sharp tailoring and glam-rock elements, such as baroque sun embroideries and cross applications.

In 2012, Puglisi was appointed artistic director at the French fashion house Ungaro, debuting on the Parisian catwalks in March 2013. He parted ways with the brand in 2017 and was succeeded by Marco Colagrossi.

Photos Credit: Alvaro Beamud Cortes