Federica Cavenati, co-founder and designer of much-loved London label 16Arlington, died suddenly on October 18, aged 28, following a short illness.
Tributes have poured in for Cavenati, with actor Lena Dunham leading the way with an emotional declaration of love and praise for her friend.
Taking to Instagram, Dunham, 35, shared a series of photos to remember Cavenati and her beauty.
She wrote: ‘The first time I met my friend Federica “Kikka” Cavenati, it took me about 10 minutes to realise how beautiful she was.
‘And that’s really saying something, because Kikka was nothing if not beautiful – shiny copper hair, massive Bambi eyes, the kind of pillowy lips that women pay a lot for, and perfect teeth with just enough character to be disarming.’
The Girls creator said Cavenati’s beauty is ‘so easy to wax on about’ but what she admired most was ‘how beautiful she made other women feel,’ explaining that ‘Kikka lived to help other women recognise their beauty.’
She stressed Cavenati ‘will not be remembered as sick,’ recalling her ‘vibrant’ personality and how she ‘showed up to life with Olympic vigour.’
Dunham went on to celebrate her friend’s work in fashion and the label that has ‘single-handedly redefined the spirit of London fashion and given style back its folly and joy.’
The Tiny Furniture star said she was ‘one of the lucky ones’ who got to work alongside Cavenati as ‘a 16Arlington girl,’ alongside the likes of Lizzo and Amal Clooney.
Dunham recently married Luis Felber in a ceremony surrounded by loved ones, but explained Cavenati was too unwell to celebrate at the wedding like she would’ve wanted to.
‘For Kikka, being seen without that trademark sparkle just wasn’t an option – not because she was vain (she was the farthest thing from it), but because she loved joy and she always wanted to embody the values she held so dear,’ Dunham wrote.
Ending on a poignant note, the actor confessed: ‘No one who crossed her path will ever be the same, and neither will fashion.’
Marco Capaldo – partner of Cavenati in both work and life – will be showing an unseen collection from 16Arlington in February 2022 in Cavenati’s honour.
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