One of the most recognized fashion brands to date is Italy's Roberto Cavalli. Name of both the brand and the man who created it, Cavalli is a high-end fashion line that produces everything from shoes to sunglasses, and the couture, mega-expensive items worn in between.

Born in Florence, Italy in 1944, Roberto Cavalli had a firm grip on what he expected to do with his life as an adult. He wanted to be a fashion designer. He attended the Florence Art Academy, and after graduating, he and a female companion he met in school began painting t-shirts in 1965.

At only 21 years old, Cavalli was ready to delve into the world of fashion. He set up a factory where the printing of the painted tees would take place, and along with a few young friends, his painting sessions would sometimes get a little messy. Tattooing had been an art for thousands of years, but painting on skin is something that no other fashion designer was doing.

Cavalli used to paint the girls' skin who vacationed during the summer in Capri. Basically, by accident, Cavalli had caught the attention of St. Tropez, and Italian Vogue then took notice. A simple act of painting skin had thrust Cavalli into the limelight.

Cavalli was a decent designer with mediocre success throughout the next decade. When he was asked to participate as a judge for the Miss Universe Contest in 1977, Roberto met Eva, his future wife and mother to his three children. Her talents, combined with his, formed a perfect union in more ways than one.

She began to assist him with knitting garments and other projects at the Cavalli factory. His ordinary success in Italy then skyrocketed to European recognition as his sleek and sexy designs were adorned by women from Spain to Russia. By the time the 1980s rolled around, Cavalli was known all over the world and became one of the biggest names in fashion.

Like Calvin Klein before him, Roberto Cavalli took America by storm, not through high fashion, but with an item that would appeal to every woman - affordable to boot. After he opened a store on Madison Avenue - a posh location to say the least - Cavalli rode a great wave of momentum due to his blue jean sales. Women weren't the only ones adorning Cavalli jeans; famous male stars, the likes of Elton John, also enjoyed the fashionable yet simple garments.

For three decades, Roberto Cavalli designed clothing items for women that were considered some of the “sexiest” in Italy and the rest of Europe. However, after his United States stop and subsequent men's wear lines, the fame exploded and he hasn't looked back yet.

Cavalli is considered one of the favorite designers of top celebrities. Even the fragrances he releases cause a stir in the fashion world. He was honored in 2002 with the Fashion Group International Designer of the Year. Still going strong, Cavalli may earn more similar awards in the future.