Spring Summer 2019 Women's Collection

The power of the body, a strength in motion. For his Spring/Summer 2019 Roberto Cavalli collection creative director Paul Surridge celebrates the physicality of the body to create a collection dedicated to dynamic, energetic movement. A new generation of Cavalli for a new generation of women. Skin shows, but is used as a graphic device - a natural evolution of body-consciousness. Asymmetry and geometric cut-outs around the torso transform the display of skin into pattern, an exercise in sensuality rather than sexuality. The contours of the body are boldly delineated: tailoring is compact, and stretch fabrics - embroideries on jersey, knits - have a sensitivity to the body, to its needs. The focus is on the legs and the core, the force of the body, emphasised by short hemlines and a tailored torso, a youthful proportion. High-performance sportswear influences, brief, fitted shorts streamlining silhouettes, lending them a confidence. The collection is muscular, poised. That idea of movement lead to the nomad, a constant inspiration at Roberto Cavalli. Today’s nomad is also an athlete; she is emblematic of travel, of freedom. A journey through Northern Africa results in fresh approaches to craft, to colour and textile, to the abstract idea of exoticism. The evoke a sense of shift. The hallmarks of Roberto Cavalli - artisanship, handcraft, animal print, sensuality - are all present, but reengineered for today. These are combined with Paul Surridge’s own heritage in menswear