"The Roberto Cavalli company shares condolences with Mr Cavalli's family loss," said chief executive Sergio Azzolari on Instagram.

Cavalli, who founded his label in the early 1970s, died at his home in Florence, Italian news agency ANSA reported.

He had been ill for some time and his health condition had significantly worsened in recent days, it added.

Cavalli was known for his animal-print designs and among the stars who wore his creations were Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren, Beyonce, Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift.

In 2010, he was pictured alongside Jennifer Lopez who wore one of his leopard print dresses on the red carpet at the World Music Awards.

He used bright colours and patchwork effects in his designs, wore tinted glasses and smoked a cigar.

The company he founded sells luxury clothing, handbags, shoes and perfume.

Cavalli's funeral will be held in Florence on Monday, Italian media reported.

"It is with great sadness that today we say our final goodbyes to our founder Roberto Cavalli," the company said on Instagram.

"From humble beginnings in Florence, Roberto succeeded in becoming a globally recognised name loved and respected by all.

"Naturally talented and creative, Roberto believed that everyone can discover and nurture the artist within themselves. Roberto Cavalli's legacy will live on via his creativity, his love of nature and via his family who he cherished."

US actress Zendaya wore a Cavalli creation at the Green Carpet Fashion Awards in Los Angeles last month.

In a post shared by the Armani account on X, fellow designer Giorgio Armani said: "I cannot imagine a vision of fashion more distant from mine than that of Roberto Cavalli, yet I have always had enormous respect for him: Roberto was a true artist, wild and wonderful in his use of prints, capable of transforming fantasy into seductive clothes.

"I have learnt with great sadness of his passing: his Tuscan verve will be greatly missed."

US singer and actress Jennifer Hudson wrote on X: "Roberto Cavalli was always one of my favourite designers. A true artist in every sense of the word!

"He made the world a more beautiful place and will be dearly missed. May he rest in peace!"

He is survived by his six children and his partner Sandra Bergman Nilsson.