8-9-2026 MY INSPO: roberto cavalli ss2004 rtw

 this week, i watched the runway show for roberto cavalli ss2004 rtw show. instantly, it appeared heavily 70s inspired, very cher-esque. the vogue review by hamish bowles confirmed that the start of the show paid homage to the icon through a video. in his review, bowles describes how cavalli is all but subtle. if you've ever seen his logo, it's animal print. when i see bright colors mixed with animal print, for example, a turquoise dress with lots of movement and some colorful snakeskin strappy heels (spoiler: remember this description in the next few weeks), i associate it with cavalli. he may be a high fashion lisa frank?!

the capris' hardware stood out for me. 
capris are coming back full throttle, and i think this unexpected detail brings out something new.

this show was a maximalist's dream. supple materials like ostrich feathers, bias-cut silk dresses, fringe and suede, leather capris, and the evergreen fur jacket, just a few to name. the models' walks can only be described as fierce, and when you spot their unruly hair, they look like modern-day lionesses. the makeup looks are sultry smokey eyes with a pale lip, one of my faves! my fave looks were the animal print gowns toward the end of the show that had spots of turquoise. i will forever cherish the brown and blue combo! here's ten looks from the show i saved for my future look moodboard:

very bob mackie of cavalli.
this showgirl-type dress is so dreamy and peep the heels!
i envy the models and their confidence.

i love the boob tan line here, i think it's very cool girl status.
here's a dress with hints of light blue. the print itself resembles a butterfly wing.

the fringe frenzy.
the pants and purse combo with a slouchy white tee are styled impeccably. 

a feathery one piece and heels that remind me of the infamous fish bone heels

another boho chic cool girl alert! 
burnt orange suede pants, and a top full of movement

you can tell these dresses were my faves

an incredibly sexy gown. the décolletage, the high slit, the one strap falling down.
so effortlessly sexy, far from sterile.

this satin slip gown has slits throughout, revealing more with movement. 
hamish bowles says: and somehow his floor-length pieces, slashed and bared as they are, reveal more than most designers’ swimsuits

super cute jeans, and more feathers, duhhh

this dress deserves its own throne in the indie sleaze revival

and the bride wore... cowboy cavalli.

if you have just under $2k you've been meaning to spend, may i indulge you with two dresses that are on sale, which match look #1 of the show?

my runway archive

piracy vintage

finally, what i consumed should also be executed, at least in theory. here are 5 looks from my closet that might make me feel roberto cavalli ss2004 opulent without reckless spending:

pattern mixing with cool-toned floral top, a zebra print maxi skirt, strappy heels, and a leather bag. 
i added the skinny scarf because we need the 2004 vibes too!

burnt orange retro pants like the runway, and giant fur. 
a crazy dichotomy - fur meets sandals and a tropical purse?

this dress from italy that feels so revealing, with some lacy hemlines, gold strappy heels and a gold purse, and a leather jacket like the ones on the runway.

asymmetrical glossy top, with chrome sky-high wedges to match.
corduroy skirt, while prudish perhaps for roberto cavalli runways, is cavalli enough for me when strutting around suburbia.
oversized oscar de la renta sunnies, metal clutch with encrusted gems.

these snakeskin heels are a newer addition to my collection, all thanks to sib who noticed them first.
the dress is my mom's old thing, which sib and i always hoped we'd inherit. 
it was my mom's go-to summer dress, and it has that boho vibe with the best color pairing.
fringe suede jacket, oversized sunnies, and a leather bag with woven details