Rosita Missoni, the celebrated co-founder of the iconic Italian knitwear label Missoni, has died at the age of 93. The announcement was made by Attilio Fontana, the president of Italy's Lombardy region, who acknowledged her profound influence on the fashion world, particularly through the brand's famed “multicoloured textures.” He expressed that her passing is a tremendous loss not only for Italy but also for Lombardy and her hometown of Varese, where she was both born and raised.
The Missoni luxury brand, known for its signature zig-zag pattern, was established in 1953 in the northern Italian region by Rosita and her late husband, Ottavio Missoni. Born in Golasecca, Lombardy in 1931 to parents who were shawlmakers, Rosita’s journey took a pivotal turn when she met her future husband, nicknamed Tai, during a study trip in London while he was competing in the 400m hurdles at the 1948 Olympics. At that time, he was already launching a line of knit tracksuits distinguishable by their innovative zippered bottoms, meant to be worn over trainers.
In a reflective 2016 interview with AFP, Rosita noted how her life changed after marriage when she received four sewing machines as wedding gifts from Tai. The couple began their journey with a small machine-knitwear workshop in Gallarate, just northwest of Milan. Their breakthrough moment came in 1958 when a prominent department store in Milan placed a substantial order for Missoni’s striped dresses.
The fashion house made its runway debut in 1966, followed by a show at Florence's Pitti Palace in 1967. The brand gained international acclaim during a controversial moment when models were prompted to remove white bras to showcase the sheer nature of Missoni’s garments, propelling the fashion label into the global spotlight.
Despite the passing of Tai in 2013 at the age of 92, Rosita's influence persisted within the brand as their daughter Angela took over leadership in the late 1990s while Rosita continued to lend her talents to the Missoni Home collection. The legacy of Rosita Missoni is one of innovation and vibrant design that changed the face of fashion forever.
