Fine China: Roberto Cavalli’s Sumptuous Collection

Dresses fit for a night out in Shanghai, either very long or ultra-short, were rendered in Chinese silk, screen-printed and hand-lacquered. Other evening dresses flowed with ocelet-printed pony skin, velvet embroidery, and soleil-paneled degradé chiffon plissé. Fine detail highlights included: silk fringed by hand, stitched leather embellishments on column coats, white string embroidery on micro paillette dresses, and cuffed collars and sleeves.

Inspired by the romantic Chinese heroine Maggie Cheung in the movie In the Mood for Love, a windowpane check print cheongesam appears as a sole element in many different looks. Dreamy, luxurious details nonchalantly appear in oversized pagoda buttons, golden metal floral motifs (inspired by Ming Dynasty vases), buckles on wide belts, and in the painted and embroidered linings of long coats. Decadence in details reined the runway throughout the collection’s entirety.

For an upcoming fall full of decadent perfumes and fine china, Roberto Cavalli provides the most appropriate attire.