A proper Pompeii party by Fausto Puglisi

A volcanic red ceiling and a volcanic collection of clothes, images and ideas courtesy of Fausto Puglisi in his latest Pompeii-inspired collection for the house of Roberto Cavalli.

Staged on a mock lava runway in a south Milan show-space Thursday evening, and worn by a cast that clearly loved the high-octane chic Puglisi dreamed up.
 
Where the key to the collection were the sensational prints, absolutely in synch with this great brand’s DNA. Especially the composite blend of images of interiors of the decimated Roman city seen in flamenco dresses, or the graphic black and white Magna Grecia mosaics and symbols used in pants suits and bomber jackets. Fausto’s accessories also recalling Roman jewelry with snake handle bags.

“I actually photographed those shots of lava on Mountain Etna myself, when I last visited,” chuckled Puglisi, who then included the images of molten lava flowing down the Sicilian volcanic on va-va-voom gowns, super sexy cocktails and billowing tops.  A charming wee sleight of hand, as the volcano above Pompeii is Vesuvius, which completely buried the town in AD 79 in an eruption of pumice and lava.
 

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Very much a night-time collection, including slip dresses in silk and velvet moiré negligees finished lava designs. In another smart ploy, Fausto used the mashed-up architectural prints in negligee looks, dissected by obi belts.

Though Puglisi didn’t forget to include some of founder Roberto’s signature big cat prints and rock goddess shearling coats printed to look like cheetah.
 
A bold dynamic statement, in a bold dramatic show, where the music began with solemn electronic cathedral sounds, and ended with Jaydee’s anthem “Plastic Dreams”. 
 
Once a gentleman’s Grand Tour meant a year touring 19th-century Italy. Today, with Fausto, it means absorbing the beauty and splendor of Pompeii and recrafting it for the future.
 

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As a result, Vesuvius’ lava was reimagined on velvet devoré dresses, baggy denim pants and in a trench, trimmed with faux fur in a signature leopard motif. Lava stones used as buttons on outerwear and jackets. 
 
While Pompeii’s frescoes grew into prints on suits, soft shirts and pants. All this, surprisingly, sifted through a design blender that included elements of Adrian, and the 1920s Hollywood design god’s broad silhouettes.
 
So, be aware, they are talking of restricting the numbers of tourists daily into Pompeii. But there are little limits to this collection’s success, Fausto’s best for Cavalli.