Acquiring a significant creative sense from his family fueled an already existent artistic ability. While attending the Academy of Art, he realized a unique, gifted ability as a painter, eventually uniting his painting talent and felicity with fabric, becoming a fashion designer extraordinaire. He was so enamored of the connection between fabrics, painting, and art that Cavalli began to experiment with unusual fabrics and designs while continuing his studies at the Academy. Through detailed and thorough research coupled with modern technology, Cavalli invented the process of printing onto lightweight leather; a process he went on to patent later. As he said in one of his interviews, "I had this idea to print on leather. I used glove skin from a French tannery, and when I started to print, I saw it was possible to make evening gowns in leather in pink—unbelievable.
In 1980, he incorporated the support and assistance of his wife, Eva Duringer, a former Miss Universe, to catapult his work onto the world stage. She is today an able partner in his business empire. Through her encouragement, he maintained his unconventional style to create some of fashion's most coveted designs using the same fabrics, animal prints and designs as he did in his earlier days.
Cavalli's expansive fashion house includes menswear and womenswear, childrenswear, underwear and casual lines, as well as eyewear and timepieces. He has also introduced Roberto Cavalli Casa, a line of fashion for the home. Roberto cavalli is the premier couture line, but Cavalli has also launched the more affordable Just Cavalli and Roberto Cavalli Class. Today, Cavalli's unique creations adorn the likes of Anthony Hopkins, the Spice girls, Shakira, Sting, David Beckham, Jennifer Lopez, Halle Berry, Alicia Keys and many other style-conscious celebrities and couture aficionados. Cavalli has designed the costumes for the Spice Girls' tour.'"