MOST FACTORIES ARE FAIRLY ANONYMOUS, but Roberto Cavalli's headquarters, which are 10 minutes from the Florence airport, instantly reflect the Italian designer's taste for vibrant prints. The minute visitors enter the reception area, they are assaulted by chairs and sofas covered in loud animal stripes and spots.
Cavalli is as famous for his prints as he is for his full-on approach: think giraffe spots on chiffon dresses, beaded psychedelic silk-satin shirts and rhinestone-studded jeans. Stars like Beyoncé Knowles, Jennifer Lopez and Lenny Kravitz cannot get enough of it. Valentino may be known as the chic one among Italian designers, but Cavalli...