In brief
The co-founder of Missoni, known for its vibrant colors and patterns, leaves behind a legacy that transformed knitwear fashion forever.
Rosita Missoni, the esteemed co-founder of the celebrated Italian knitwear label that bears her name, has died at the age of 93. This news was announced by Attilio Fontana, president of the Lombardy region, who paid tribute to her contributions to Italy's rich fashion heritage, notably highlighting the brand's distinctive "multicoloured textures." Fontana lamented her passing as "a great loss for Italy, Lombardy, and her birthplace in Varese."Together with her late husband, Ottavio Missoni, Rosita launched the luxury brand in 1953 in the picturesque northern Italian town of Gallarate. Their brand is particularly renowned for its iconic zig-zag patterns. Born in Golasecca, Lombardy in 1931 to parents who were skilled shawl makers, Rosita met Ottavio while pursuing an English course in London, where he was also competing in the 400m hurdles in the 1948 Olympic Games.After their marriage, the couple began their journey with four sewing machines, laying the foundation for their fashion empire. A pivotal moment for the Missoni brand came in 1958, when a Milanese department store placed a significant order for striped dresses that bore their label. The brand captured global attention with its first runway show in 1966, notably stirring controversy with daringly sheer fabric designs that led models to remove visible white bras on the runway.Tai Missoni, as he was known, passed away in 2013 at the age of 92. Eventually, their daughter Angela took over leading the brand in the late 1990s, while Rosita remained dedicated to the home line, Missoni Home, further cementing her impact on the fashion world.
