Roberto Cavalli for H&M – another preview

It seems like months ago when Roberto Cavalli and H&M announced that Cavalli would design a collection for the Swedish chain. Ok so it technically was, it was announced in June, but since then news and reports have been hard to come by. Now Elle UK have given readers a sneak preview of the collection in their latest issue. As expected there were the leopard print pieces and gold accessories. From what I can see, the collection will probably be the most sexy H&M designer diffusion collection so far.

I love how Cavalli seems to have his cigar in every picture. I wonder how much his favourites set him back…

Read the exclusive interview with Elle below, and check out pieces from the Roberto Cavalli for H&M men’s collection. What do you think? The men’s suits are very sleek and sexy – now if only there was a H&M in Australia…

For prices, check out this site – I hope you can read Swedish though.

Here’s the accompanying interview with Cavalli that appeared in Elle.

Look out for leopard-print chiffon, sequined and ruffled dresses, skinny rock-chick jeans (great with the studded, furry white comber jacket) and sexy gold sandals. With the most expensive piece a metallic gold lame dress – costing under 200 pounds, this really is affordable glamour.

We talk to the 66-year-old Italian designer (who famously signed an exclusive contract to dress Victoria Beckham) about his H&M pieces and what makes a Cavalli Woman.

Who is your H&M collection for?
Young people, they always tell me they can’t buy Cavalli because it’s too expensive.

Are you inspired by your younger customers?
The people who know most about fashion are the young. They pay attention to the shows and know what they want.

Describe the Cavalli woman.
A self-confident, versatile woman who knows how to enjoy life.

Your favourite items for H&M?
The jeans and long dress in leopard print – any woman who wears this will feel like she’s on the red carpet.

What is it with you and animal prints?
Animal prints are a Cavalli logo like nature – I could say God is the most fabulous designer in the world. Why do I use tigers and leopards? Because women like it – it’s a sexy design.

What makes a good pair of jeans?
I still like the very low waist – this makes jeans sexy. I also work with a special fabric that makes my jeans stretchy and lifted.

What attracts you to dressing supermodels?
I like to see my clothes worn perfectly. But it’s not about a pretty face; it’s the way they move. When Naomi Campbell came to see me in the shop, she tried on a dress. She came out of the changing room and the way she moved… she transformed that dress.

Your style is very continental – do you think British women dress differently to Italians?
I tell you, there isn’t so much difference any more – they admire the same celebrities, the same designers, read the same magazines.

What attracts you to London?
People can be inspired by fashion. I love the sensations set up by young designers.

How do you think people will respond to your collection here?
The British are my biggest fans!

The Roberto Cavalli for H&M collection will be hitting selected H&M stores on 11 November 2007.

[Interview transcribed by me from magazine scan found on TFS]