In celebration of the fortieth anniversary of Roberto Cavalli s amazing career, this gorgeous retrospective includes photos of supermodels then and now, personal photos, images from past advertising campaigns, and notes from Cavallis friends and celebrity clients.

Cavalli opens the book by writing:  "I am not a real designer... I am a transformer who takes even poor quality fabrics and uses printing and colors to make them glamorous and desirable." He also goes into brief detail about how he started printing tee shirts as a child in Italy and his first real success when he was introduced to Grace Mirabella, the former editor of American Vogue.

The book starts out with photos of the designer from back in the day as he rubbed elbows with the chicest and most beautiful women of the time.

Beautiful images via famed photographers Mert & Marcu s help put the string the book along. Beauties such as Gisele, Kate Moss, Jennifer Lopez, Lara Stone, Heidi Klum & Cindy Crawford pose in Cavalli's beautiful creations throughout the book.

The book is also full of commentary and praise on the Cavalli legacy by all stars: Bianca Jagger, Beyonce,  Anna Della Russo, Stefano Tonchi, & Glenda Bailey.

What owning this book says about you: Youre a fashionista who appreciates the work of a fashion trailblazer.

What your dinner guests will say upon seeing this book on your coffee table: Is that Gisele?!  OMG Cavalli! This book looks fab, may I take a look?

How this book will make your fashion brain grow:  The books illustrates the evolution of the Cavalli legacy.

If you like this, youll love: Balenciaga: Spanish Master by Hamish Bowles

You can purchase this selection at the Rizzoli Bookstore.