Designer Cavalli to appeal conviction

Roberto Cavalli, the Italian designer of jewel-encrusted jeans and ultra sexy clothes, will appeal his conviction on tax fraud, one of his lawyers said today.

At a hearing yesterday, a judge in Florence convicted the designer and sentenced him to 14 months in jail, but as a first-time offender, Cavalli saw the sentence immediately suspended, said lawyer Alessandro Traversi.

He said Cavalli plans to appeal.

“This verdict deserves to be reviewed,” Alessandro said.

Florence prosecutors contended that £1.8 million which was written off by Cavalli as business expenses was actually spent for personal use.

The money was used to refurbish the designer’s mansion between 1996 and 2000, said Traversi.

Cavalli denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the villa is essential to his business, Traversi has said.

The designer’s mansion, in the hills overlooking Florence, underwent massive works, including the construction of two swimming pools, a gym and a hangar.