rumor mill

Could Roberto Cavalli Be Getting a New Designer?

Photo: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

With Reuters reporting last night that Roberto Cavalli is in talks with Clessidra, an Italian private equity firm, about selling a majority stake in the company, rumors about the brand’s creative direction are also heating up. The firm is said to be getting a 90 percent stake in the label. However, the 74-year-old designer would retain a stake in his namesake house, according to a Clessidra statement, and would help “relaunch and develop” the brand.

Naturally, Gucci-esque speculation is already building about a possible Cavalli successor. Vogue U.K. has a roundup of the rumors: that Peter Dundas, currently at Emilio Pucci, is the leading candidate, with names like Marco Zanini (who recently departed Schiaparelli), Joseph Altuzarra, Blue Farrier (formerly of Issa), and Emilio de la Morena also being tossed around. We’ve reached out to Cavalli for comment and will update this when we hear back.

Photo: Courtesy of Roberto Cavalli

In yet more Cavalli news today, an uncharacteristically demure Nicki Minaj is the face of the brand’s spring 2015 campaign, above, shot by Francesco Carrozzini.

Could Roberto Cavalli Be Getting a New Designer?