In the Arco della Pace (Milan’s answer to the Arc de Triomphe) on Piazza Sempione, Roberto Cavalli presented his 40th birthday show.
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The set was a plastic jungle scene with exotic trees reaching the glass ceiling of this huge dome. Beneath them, the Amazonians arrived. With straggly hair and dark-rimmed eyes, they wore identikit, almost indistinguishable looks; shredded cobweb dresses, sequin snake print, lace-up bootleg skinnies, waistcoats, tassels and beads hanging from not very much at all... Boobs were fake, tans were deep, so reptilian were some of the exits they looked as if the snake had shed its skin backstage and been immediately stuck on to fabric and slung over bags.
The music was loud, the message was clear; sex is always behind Cavalli’s inspiration. The finale saw the Amazons storm the catwalk together in an intimidating display of empowerment. A spectacle well and truly produced.
