Rosita Missoni, Italian Fashion Icon, Passes Away at 93

Rosita Missoni's legacy will endure as a pioneer of knitwear fashion and the vibrant creativity she brought to the Missoni brand.

Rosita Missoni, the esteemed co-founder of the iconic Italian knitwear label Missoni, has passed away at the age of 93. The news was confirmed by Attilio Fontana, the president of Italy's Lombardy region, who expressed sorrow over her loss, recognizing her contributions to both the fashion industry and her home region of Varese. Missoni was instrumental in establishing the well-known brand alongside her late husband, Ottavio Missoni, in 1953, where they became celebrated for their unique multicolored and zig-zag patterns.

Born in 1931 in Golasecca, Lombardy, Rosita hailed from a family of shawl makers. During a study trip to London, she met Ottavio, known affectionately as Tai, who was at that time competing in the 400m hurdles at the 1948 Olympic Games. Their romantic and entrepreneurial partnership flourished when they married in 1953, subsequently launching a machine-knitwear workshop in Gallarate, northwest of Milan.

Their breakthrough came in 1958 when a Milanese department store placed a substantial order for their striped dresses. The couple's first catwalk show was held in 1966, followed by a notable presentation at Florence's Pitti Palace the following year, which generated buzz when models famously removed their white bras due to the sheer quality of the fabric. This controversy catapulted Missoni to international acclaim.

Tai Missoni passed away in 2013, but their daughter Angela took over operations of the fashion house in the late 1990s, with Rosita remaining involved in their home collection, Missoni Home. Rosita Missoni leaves behind a vibrant legacy that not only transformed knitwear but also inspired countless designers and fashion enthusiasts around the globe.