Rosita Missoni: Iconic Co-Founder of Missoni Fashion House Passes Away at 93

Rosita Missoni, the co-founder of the renowned knitwear brand, had a profound impact on the fashion industry with her creative vision and family heritage in textile production.

Rosita Missoni, co-founder of the celebrated Italian knitwear label that bears her name, has died at the age of 93, a significant loss for the fashion world. Her passing was confirmed by Attilio Fontana, the president of Lombardy, who highlighted the brand's signature "multicoloured textures." He expressed his condolences, stating it was a great loss for Italy, Lombardy, and her birthplace, Varese.

Born in 1931 in the town of Golasecca, Lombardy, Rosita's roots in the textile industry were deep-seated; her parents were skilled shawlmakers. During a trip to London to improve her English, she crossed paths with her future husband, Ottavio "Tai" Missoni, who was competing in the 400m hurdles during the 1948 Olympics. Amidst their shared passion for textiles, Rosita received sewing machines as a wedding gift from Tai.

In 1953, the couple launched their knitwear workshop in Gallarate, northwest of Milan. Their breakthrough came in 1958 when a major Milanese department store placed a significant order for their striped dresses, propelling the brand into the spotlight. The opening of their first catwalk show in 1966 and subsequent controversial presentations only solidified Missoni’s place in the fashion industry.

Tai Missoni passed away in 2013 at the age of 92, leaving behind a fashion empire that their daughter Angela took over in the late 1990s. Rosita maintained her active role in the company, continuing to work with the Missoni Home line, preserving the creativity and style that the family brand exemplifies.