Maximize Your Image This Summer With Iconic Designs by Roberto Cavalli, Top Tips From a Roberto Cavalli Stylist, and the Most Effective Health & Beauty Treatments
By Charis Michelsen for EGW LUXURY MAGAZINE
BE THE STAR OF YOUR OWN LIFE, LIKE ROBERTO CAVALLI
Roberto Cavalli, a permanently bronzed maximalist designer who created rock & roll-injected styles that unapologetically announce you’re the star of your own life, inspired many to command attention and live life to the fullest. About this lover of flash and excess, The New York Times wrote: “This is a man for whom zebra print is a neutral.” Cavalli explained his passion for wild animal patterns, which he used for nearly all his designs: “I love nature. Animals have the best dresses. God made them so well-dressed.”
Flying around in his iridescent purple helicopter or sailing on his purple yacht, Cavalli never forgot his roots. As he told Women’s Wear Daily in 2013, “I want to get across that behind the fabulous yacht, the champagne, the parties, there’s a man called Roberto Cavalli, who worked very, very hard to create this wonderful life.” Cavalli didn’t just work hard designing stand out pieces for stars such as Lenny Kravitz and Cindy Crawford, who love his work, he changed the luxury fashion world forever by inventing and patenting revolutionary techniques for printing on leather, which immediately won him commissions from renowned brands such as Hermès and Pierre Cardin. He also sandblasted denim fabric and added lycra to denim, so jeans could stretch and fit the body tightly, creating a massive trend after Naomi Campbell wore a pair of Cavalli jeans on the runway in 1993.
Born in 1940, Cavalli, whose grandfather was a celebrated painter, had a humble start in Florence, Italy. As Nazis killed his father when he was four, he was raised by his seamstress mother. After enrolling at a local art institute, where he concentrated on textiles, his talent was recognized by a major Italian hosiery manufacturer, when he made a series of flower prints on knit. At thirty-two, he presented his first namesake collection of jeans made of printed denim, leathers, brocade, and wild-animal prints at the Salon for Prêt-à-porter in Paris, and then, in 1972, he opened his first boutique in Saint-Tropez. From the mid-1990s onward he was one of the biggest names in fashion, with stores around the world and with licenses for everything from jewelry, perfume and sunglasses to children’s clothes, housewares and a Roberto Cavalli-branded vodka, which came packaged in a snakeskin-covered bottle. Stylists competed to get their hands on his designs for their celebrity clients such as Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, and Shakira, while Carrie Bradshaw, the fictional heroine of the hit TV show “Sex and the City,” dressed in giraffe-spot Cavalli dresses and peony-pattern Cavalli jeans. Cavalli also opened Just Cavalli, one of the hottest nightclubs in Milan, was hired to revamp the Playboy bunny costume, and was among the first designers to launch a high-street collection with H&M. Mr. Cavalli summed up his personal ethos this way: “Fashion that is not crazy is not fashion.”
Roberto Cavalli passed away at his home in Florence, Italy, this year, at age eighty-three, following a long period of ill-health. He’s survived by his six children, and his legacy will be loved and celebrated forever.
GAIN THE SECRETS FOR HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR IMAGE FROM ROBERTO CAVALLI STYLIST LORI DOBRIN
I had the extreme pleasure of being styled by one of the planet’s top stylists, Lori Dobrin, who’s a representative for the world-renown luxury Italian fashion house Roberto Cavalli. Lori shared with me her wonderful and inspiring vision and philosophy regarding styling over tea, and I had to share it with EGW readers.
Charis: Thank you, Lori, for taking the time for this interview. I truly appreciate you sharing with readers a little about you and what might be helpful for someone wanting to look their best. But before we get into styling tips, please tell me how you got your start.
Lori: Thank you, Charis, for having the brilliant idea to showcase the great designer Roberto Cavalli in EGW Global Magazine. What a beautiful publication! I attended fashion design school, moved to high-end hospitality, studied psychology, moved into luxury concierge services, and then into luxury retail. I combined all of what I learned into being a luxury image consultant.
Charis: What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced with your career in styling, and how did you overcome it?
Lori: The biggest challenge is fighting my clients’ insecurities and destroying the myths they have around style and lifestyle. By knowing how to insert different beliefs and paint a different picture, of course step by step, I can get my clients to a place of confidence, so they can embrace different fashion choices that will enhance their life.
Charis: Please share with EGW readers your fabulous philosophy related to styling and how you came to realize it.
Lori: Style is a big part of the puzzle that is personal image. The other parts are mindset and lifestyle. When it comes to style, it’s not just the clothes you wear, it’s about the energy you give off to viewers. When someone looks at you, they feel a certain way. It’s also not about the price tag but about craftsmanship: the quality, tailoring, and fabric. Style is also about fit. If something is off, the perception of the viewer changes. It dilutes it and the impact isn’t the same. It can turn negative as well. Some people don’t care how they come off, while others are simply not aware of it and don’t realize that failures in their lives can be caused by it. Style on its own opens doors and gives a positive first impression. The other components establish credibility. Not paying attention to one’s style can reduce credibility and can cause disappointment in all areas of life. I’ve had plenty of clients fix their marriage, career, and state of happiness by working on their image.
Charis: How did you come to work with Roberto Cavalli, and what do you love most about the brand?
Lori: I started to work with the brand after ending a heavy part of my life. Working with Roberto Cavalli was a fresh beginning, although fashion was a part of my existence already. Roberto was the only designer that took me on a complete journey of passion, elegance, sophistication, and inspiration. I was intrigued by the perfect dance his fabrics, prints and tailoring create, and also the level that one needs to be at to truly appreciate his work. It’s not for everyone!
Charis: Please describe to our readers what your ideal summer wardrobe by Robert Cavalli would be.
Lori: The best summer wardrobe would include long and short silk caftans, palazzo pants, maxi skirts, maxi dresses, and light jackets for the evening. And don’t forget the accessories! Scarves, sunglasses, and bags! The roar bag is a must!
Charis: Lori, can you make the distinction between a stylist and an image consultant for our readers?
Lori: Stylists help dress a client for a specific occasion or agenda. Image consultants work on creating a new perception for viewers. They influence the way a client thinks and acts, and the way a client understands how to dress and why, along with the impact a client’s image has on others.
Charis: Please share with EGW readers how they might find the amazing pieces by Roberto Cavalli featured in this article.
Lori: You can reach me on my email lori@arrangemoi.com, which is preferable. Additionally, you can contact me via WhatsApp at (323) 688-6856. I offer new clients a free fifteen-minute consultation.
Charis: What are some of your best styling tips you can share with EGW readers?
Lori: First, pay attention to fabric, as plastic in fabrics isn’t great. Second, fit is crucial. I’m a huge advocate of alterations. If you’re in love with a piece and it doesn’t fit perfectly, please buy one size up and tailor it to your body. Third, wear all the colors you love, the ones you feel good in. To simplify things, go for monochromatic looks and combine them with different colors. Forth, always pay attention to your nails, hair and shoes! Unkempt nails and hair, and bad shoes, can be a major turn off no matter what you’re wearing. And fifth, be mindful of your accessories, and make them work for you. Wear hats when your hair isn’t done, wear wide belts to create a waistline, if needed, and spice up your look with bold necklaces or earrings when an outfit is plain. Also, keep your makeup to a minimum during the day, and invest in a capsule wardrobe that you can style with anything. You can always add from there.
Charis: What message would you like to leave with readers?
Lori: A beautiful, happy life doesn’t happen by chance! We have the power to create everything, from the success of our relationships and careers to being recognized and admired instead of being unnoticed and living a common life. Everything starts with the way you think, look, and talk! It’s a choice! Hire the right professionals to help you navigate. Don’t waste time trying to figure it out on your own.
Charis: Thank you, Lori, for this fabulous interview!
Lori: Thank you for being so graceful and helping people change their reality for the better.
While wearing CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES TO MAXIMIZE YOUR image, employ great self-care to look and feel your best
Summer is the season for relaxation. Relaxation isn’t an option in maintaining good health, it’s mandatory! It can reduce stress and boost immunity, lower blood sugar, blood pressure, and your heart and breathing rate, as well as reduce inflammation and aid in better mental health. To take a mental and physical vacation this summer, without going anywhere, book a delightful non-surgical face lift + relaxation massage, that uses the Sculptural Facial Lifting Method, natural products, cupping, and lymphatic drainage, with master bodyworker Constance Miller of Dolce Aesthetics. Dolce Aesthetics offers this service, which can be performed at their location or at your home, office, or any other requested place. It includes buccal massage for a deep lift and tension relief, promising plump, glowing, and stress-free skin.
To refresh your skin and keep it in top shape during summer, and throughout the year, enjoy skin-pampering La Prairie facials at Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills with top La Prairie esthetician Summer Spigno. Summer employs La Prairie’s insider techniques to invigorate the skin while exclusively using La Prairie products, which are known as “the Rolls Royce” of skincare products. Summer, who has a passion for making people feel beautiful and pampered, generously shared one of her secrets: apply skincare products in a downward motion for lymphatic drainage. After visiting Summer, your skin will look plumper, clearer, and glow for days!
To maintain beautiful skin or reclaim it, try cutting-edge micro-needling treatments with exosomes. Celebrity aesthetician Christine Reed works directly with scientists for this specialized treatment, and can travel to your home to perform this nonpareil beauty service. The exosomes Ms. Reed uses are safe, ethically sourced, and far more effective than adult human stem cells. They can act as a “fountain of youth” by radically reducing scarring, the appearance of aged skin, and restoring hair loss.
To restore skin that’s scarred or affected by vitiligo, see master skin artist Ilona Malygin, owner of Luna Skin Solution. Ilona has set standards in the industry and painstakingly mixes skin-matching pigments for her life-altering and personally elevating paramedical tattoo treatments, which create a profound visual change for the body.
To tighten lax skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite, see Cristy at Beauty by Cristy, as she offers a gentle but effective, state-of-the-art treatment called Cyndermology, a pain-free nonsurgical treatment that stimulates the lymphatic system, improves blood circulation, reduces fluid retention and the appearance of cellulite, and activates fibroblast cells to produce new collagen and hyaluronic acid, to thicken and firm skin tone
To improve overall health, take the dietary supplement Tru Niagen , a patented form of nicotinamide riboside (NR) that cells readily convert to NAD, for enhanced memory and to slow age-related memory loss, and do some form of aerobic exercise twenty to thirty minutes a day for at least three days a week. Exercise can keep your bones strong, slow aging, fight anxiety, help you maintain physical and mental balance, and increase circulation, which helps skin glow. You don’t have to make a production of getting exercise; you can dance to your favorite music, take a walk around your neighborhood, park further from your destinations than you normally would, or take a fun boxing or Pilates class. Alana Mesica, a certified veteran of mat and reformer Pilates, employs her own unique twist on classical Pilates principles with an emphasis on form, awareness, and strength, that guarantees stronger, longer and leaner bodies. She invites you to try one of her fun and effective classes. Simply search “Pilanies” on Apple’s App store.
For an even brighter glow, try Nilceutica’s skin transforming anti-aging Vitamin C Punch Face mask. It delivers a high concentration of fresh Vitamin C to the skin at the proper pH and includes soothing extracts, delicately scented rose petals, and clays, to brighten, exfoliate, boost collagen, fight sagging, protect against sun damage, clarify the complexion, soothe sunburns, and support wound healing.
For deep detoxification, visit one of L.A.’s most dedicated and passionate holistic therapists, Osa Wrange of Optimal Health in Beverly Hills for healing and purifying colon hydrotherapy treatments. Colon hydrotherapy can reduce headaches, increase energy and vitality, alleviate weight issues, and clarify the skin. It also hydrates the body while reducing toxins and bloating and improves the inner ecology for bacteria and microflora for better digestion to support overall health and well-being. For further detoxification, try Optimal Health’s ionic foot bath, which uses ionically charged water to detoxify the body, which can reduce inflammation, aches & pains, stress, anxiety, and improve sleep. And finish your whole-body detoxification by taking a relaxing FAR infrared sauna that includes patented SoloCarbon heaters. This treatment aids in weight loss, stimulating the immune system, circulation, and stoking collagen production for a more youthful appearance. In addition to being a seventeen-year veteran of personalized healing therapies, Osa is also an expert cymedics technician. Cymedic treatments are non-invasive, anti-aging, and aid in lymphatic drainage, which can encourage the body’s own waste process and speed up its natural removal. They can also tighten skin, reduce the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks, increase relaxation, and deliver stimulation to tissue for optimal restoration of cell function, which helps restore and revive the whole body.
To ensure your continued good health and prevent the consumption of toxins at your next summer function, or at any event throughout the year, try Good + Bar , an exceptional beverage catering service that creates premier, artisan non-alcoholic cocktails to compliment extraordinary, unforgettable social experiences.
After pampering your face and body, add some polish to your look by visiting award-winning celebrity manicurist and top global nail educator, Katerina Abourched, Founder & CEO of Moka Nail Club and TheNailBusinessAcademy.Online. Katerina’s clients include A-list stars such as Paris Hilton and Emily Ratajkowski, and she’s a regular nail artist for luxury designers such as Christian Siriano at New York Fashion Week.
CELEBRATE THE STAR YOU ARE THIS SUMMER BY ENJOYING CLASSIC BEAUTY LOOKS THAT ELEVATE YOUR IMAGE
To fully celebrate the season and your image, experiment with summer looks by Roberto Cavalli, which pair beautifully with classic makeup looks, such as neutral browns on the eyes paired with a bold lip color such as red for day or smoky or colorful eye makeup paired with a nude lip color for evening, and keep your nails natural-looking. Enjoy your maximized image and a beauty-filled summer!
Follow Roberto Cavalli on Instagram: @roberto_cavalli
Follow Charis Michelsen on Instagram: @charismichelsen_official
PHOTOGRAPHY: Daniel Weber @danielweber_photography
MODEL, MAKEUP: Charis Michelsen @charismichelsen_official
HAIR: @hairbysylvie, @brightonsalonbeverlyhills
CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES: Roberto Cavalli @roberto_cavalli