Roberto Cavalli and burgers: Now there’s two things that you might not think match, but the Italian designer’s never been one to do the expected, has he? Cavalli has turned his va-va-voom brand of style to another Dubai restaurant, Cavalli Caffe at JBR’s The Beach complex, which opened last week, serving cafe-style dishes in an environment designed in his signature animal print.
And it’s not all Wagyu burgers — a range of handmade chocolates in over a dozen flavours is one of the highlights. We caught up with the designer, 74 and as full of beans as ever, as he was in the city for packed week of fashion parties and previews for VIPs. “I love Dubai, I love to be here. It’s like a mini vacation. But I am very happy to leave. I miss my bed!”
The designer now has a mini empire in the city, with the Caffe joining his Cavalli Club, a restaurant and nightclub. He’s also working on the design of a Cavalli hotel.
“In my city, Florence, there is a Cavalli store in the most beautiful corner of Florence. Here, I put a very small bar, Cavalli Caffe. I don’t know, but the people started to say, ‘there we can drink the best coffee in the world’. In Italy, coffee is very important. I’m not crazy about coffee, between you and me. But the people love it.”
Excerpts:
Q. When you started, did you expect to have this lifestyle and fashion empire?
A. When I started, my empire was so big. But it was just air. It was dreams. If you want something, you have to dream.
Q. Do you feel like you have achieved everything?
A. It’s hard to tell you. Maybe my last dream is to meet God. To know what he thinks about me. He’s the only one to decide. At least He has given me the chance to enjoy [life].
Q. What is your favourite flavour of the chocolates, and why?
A. Each of the 13 flavours of the chocolates available at Cavalli Caffe were picked by me and my team. I love the flavours of each of them. It is hard to choose a favourite. But from all of the chocolates in the world, these 13 can sum up as my favourites. I recommend you try the chilli pepper, dark gianduja or the crunchy almond praline.
Q. What is your favourite dish on the menu?
A. I have many favourites but my top three are gamberoni al sale [roasted jumbo prawns marinated in fresh chilli and grapefruit]; insalata di granchio [a salad of Alaskan crab, avocado, new potato and lemon oil]; and the Cavalli Caffe burger. [The burger is made of Wagyu beef, and served with caramelised onion, scamorza cheese, mustard mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato and fries.]
Q. What did you have for breakfast today?
A. I like to start my day with an espresso followed by a croissant.
Q. What makes a great restaurant, in your opinion?
A. Great food, great ambiance and warm staff
Q. How has the “Cavalli woman” you created in 1970 has changed over the years?
A. She has changed because the world has changed, because the world has become international. My aim is to show the best of each woman in all occasions. To seduce women you need to be unique and to understand their passions and translate that into beautiful dresses. I design for a woman who is confident, sexy and wants to look beautiful. I want people to feel empowered, sensual and glamorous in my clothes. The Cavalli woman is a woman of perpetual strength and a vibrant spirit. This woman can come in many different shapes and forms… She has a light in her eyes, and a great excitement for life. The Cavalli woman is glamorous, sensual, feminine... Women inspire me... femininity inspires me... Beauty inspires me.
