Passaga—who has been collecting and re-selling designer since he was 14—and his team source Cavalli pieces from all across Europe, and are always on the hunt for new pieces to buy and re-sell. “Lots of women who are now 40, 50, or 60-years-old still have their old Cavalli pants, and we purchase lots of them from Italy,” says Passaga, “as well as a lot of other collectors from around Europe.”
Call it a result of the recent Y2K revival, but the demand for vintage Cavalli—a label associated with the fun, raucous fashions of the aughts—has certainly never been hotter. Everyone from Kim Kardashian to Cardi B has been spotted wearing the brand’s throwback pieces, and fashion lovers alike are on the hunt for those party-ready pieces. (Stealth wealth, who?). When we recently asked local vintage shops in New York what was currently trending, Cavalli came up more than once. “Five years ago or so, no one was giving interest to Cavalli,” says Passaga. “Then it started to be really booming again, when Kylie Jenner was wearing some of the dresses. Now, the demand is insane.”
Highlights in Dolce Vita Hub’s current assortment include gems like a brown suede Cavalli jacket with detachable sleeves (from fall 2005), a leopard-and-floral dress from spring 2002, or even a rare runway jacket from the recent fall 2023 collection. “It was one of eight jackets, and it’s so unique,” says Passaga, “and so heavy!” Whatever Cavalli treasures one may find in the shop (or online), the co-founders want to ensure that there is a piece for anyone—and for all budgets. “You can purchase something at 80 euros, or something at 3,000 euros,” says Passaga.
