Just Cavalli Spring 2009

Roberto Cavalli’s spring show was less the beachy romp he set up than a trip back to school, as in Cavalli 101. And not because he tried to keep his recent conservative kick going with a few belted cardigans and clunky pleated leather skirts. But after last season’s retro fest, Cavalli was ready to return to feral form with copious amounts of lace, leather and leopard prints – more suited to his beloved bombshell, especially in pastel patchwork dresses. It was pretty at times, but much seemed culled from his archives, and those of a few others. Seventies prints looked like Prada spring 07, while a peaked shoulder blazer pointed in Margiela’s direction.