Rosita Missoni, Iconic Co-Founder of Missoni, Passes Away at 93

Rosita Missoni's impact on the fashion world is indelible as she transformed the luxury knitwear market alongside her husband, Tai.

Rosita Missoni, the esteemed co-founder of the renowned Italian knitwear label Missoni, has passed away at the age of 93. Her death was announced by Attilio Fontana, the president of Lombardy, who expressed profound condolences, marking her loss as significant for Italy and particularly for her birthplace of Golasecca in the province of Varese.

Having established the iconic brand with her late husband Ottavio in 1953, Rosita influenced the world of fashion with vibrant color combinations and the signature zig-zag patterns that define Missoni’s aesthetic. Born in 1931 to parents who worked in shawl-making, Rosita’s love for textiles was innate. The couple’s journey began when they met during Rosita’s English studies in London, where Ottavio was a competitive athlete at the 1948 Olympics, creating knitwear in his leisure time.

In a poignant recollection from a 2016 interview, Rosita shared, “When I got married, four sewing machines arrived with my husband.” Their early ventures led to a machine-knit workshop in Gallarate, north of Milan, setting the stage for a fashion revolution. The duo's pivotal moment arose in 1958 when a prominent Milan department store ordered a large shipment of their distinctive striped dresses.

The brand rose to international fame following its debut catwalk show in 1966, which was met with both acclaim and a splash of controversy surrounding the transparency of the garments. Despite the challenges, Missoni secured its position in haute couture. Following Ottavio's passing in 2013, their daughter Angela took the reins of the company; however, Rosita remained actively engaged, particularly with Missoni Home. Her contributions to the brand ensure that her legacy will continue to be celebrated in the fashion industry for years to come.