a nod to the past, with a wink
a nod to the past, with a wink
fearless experimentation.
The name Cavalla—Italian for mare—is more than poetic. It’s a thread back to a time when hair color rituals were as inventive as they were bold. Centuries ago, Italian women famously used naturally occurring ammonia—yes, found in horse urine—to lighten their hair under the sun. Strange as it sounds now, it was one of the earliest forms of chemical hair dye, rooted in both beauty and resourcefulness.
We took that curious piece of history not as a punchline, but as a quiet provocation. What if we could honor that fearless experimentation and make it beautiful? The result is packaging that pairs light humor with deep heritage—equestrian illustrations, architectural references, and a name that invites curiosity without needing to shout.
Cavalla doesn’t parody the past—it elevates it. It’s an homage wrapped in elegance, shaped by centuries of craft and a wink to those who know the history.
great hair color, yes. a tribute to italian history? absolutely.
architectural packaging with an edge.
Cavalla’s packaging was designed to feel sculptural and quietly luxurious. It features a deep charcoal matte finish, punctuated with raised spot UV gloss across graphical details. The tension between soft and sleek—between raised detail and flat form—is felt immediately in hand. It's tactile. It feels like quality.
Typography was stripped back to let materiality speak first. Negative space plays a major role, echoing the proportions and rhythm of Italian facades. This isn’t decorative packaging—it’s structural. Built like a building. Crafted like a statue. Meant to last and thrive.
a sketch, a statement.
Every aspect of the Cavalla brand began in a sketchbook. I personally sketched equestrian statues from piazzas across Italy—each one chosen for its posture, symbolism, and placement in front of iconic Duomos and palazzos. These hand-drawn lines became the foundation for a brand that values process as much as outcome.
The illustration style is loose and architectural—just like the brand. It adds visual texture and emotional contrast to the otherwise clean, high-contrast, matte black packaging. The result is a product that feels deeply rooted, but refreshingly modern. Check out some similar packaging design work I did for Duomo, here.
let’s work together.
If you’re building a product with heart—one that values roots, tactility, and refined storytelling—let’s make something meaningful together. I work with brands that want to create beauty with depth and intentionality.
“what stands in the way becomes the way."
— marcus aurelius
