default-output-block.skip-main
BoF Logo

The Business of Fashion

Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.

Fausto Puglisi Joins Roberto Cavalli

The Sicilian designer has created looks for superstars like Madonna, Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez. He succeeds Paul Surridge, who exited the company last March.
Fausto Puglisi | Source: Courtesy
By
  • Tamison O'Connor

Milan, ITALY — After more than a year of searching, Roberto Cavalli has found a new head designer.

The Italian brand known for its bold animal prints and flamboyant take on Italian glamour has appointed Fausto Puglisi to take its creative helm.

The Sicilian designer, who has created looks for superstars like Madonna, Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez, will hold the title of creative consultant. He will oversee all design functions, taking creative control of the main Roberto Cavalli line, as well as diffusion line Just Cavalli and kidswear line Roberto Cavalli Junior. His first collection will debut in January 2021.

Puglisi succeeds Paul Surridge, whose more muted take on the Cavalli woman failed to wow critics and consumers. Surridge exited his post as creative director last March.

The Florentine House founded by its namesake Roberto Cavalli in the early 1970s has suffered a tumultuous few years. It liquidated its US operations and filed for bankruptcy protection in Italy last spring.

The company was rescued by Dubai property tycoon Hussain Sajwani, who purchased the brand via his private investment firm Vision Investment Co. LLC in July.

The brand has also had a high turnover of creative talent since Cavalli himself relinquished his design duties in 2015. Peter Dundas exited the brand in 2017 after 19 months in the design role, while Surridge stayed for less than two years.

On the business side, CEO Gian Giacomo Ferraris, the fashion executive tapped in 2016 to engineer the brand's turnaround, will exit later this year.

Related Articles: 

© 2024 The Business of Fashion. All rights reserved. For more information read our Terms & Conditions

More from Luxury
How rapid change is reshaping the tradition-soaked luxury sector in Europe and beyond.

Serre, who grew sales by 20 percent in 2023, has been named Pitti Uomo’s next guest designer. She’s using the opportunity to show her men’s collection for the first time.


Hermès’ elusive sales strategy is at the centre of a new legal challenge for the French luxury giant. BoF breaks down the practices under scrutiny and what the suit could mean for the fashion industry at large.



This week, Kering flagged sales were down 20 percent at its flagship brand, knocking confidence in the group’s turnaround strategy. ‘A more drastic solution is required,’ one analyst wrote.


view more

Subscribe to the BoF Daily Digest

The essential daily round-up of fashion news, analysis, and breaking news alerts.

The Business of Fashion

Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
CONNECT WITH US ON
BoF Professional - How to Turn Data Into Meaningful Customer Connections
© 2024 The Business of Fashion. All rights reserved. For more information read our Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy and Accessibility Statement.
BoF Professional - How to Turn Data Into Meaningful Customer Connections