Rosita Missoni, Pioneer of Iconic Knitwear Brand, Passes Away at 93

Rosita Missoni, who co-established the Missoni label with her late husband in 1953, died at the age of 93, leaving behind a legacy of vibrant, multicolored designs that revolutionized knitwear.

Rosita Missoni, a legendary figure in the fashion industry known for her pioneering contributions to knitwear, has passed away at the age of 93. The confirmation came from Attilio Fontana, the president of Lombardy, who expressed deep sorrow over her death, calling it “a significant loss not only for Italy but also for the province of Varese, where she spent her life.”

Born in Golasecca, Lombardy in 1931 to a family of shawl makers, Rosita developed a keen sense of design that would later lead to the foundation of the Missoni brand. Her life took a serendipitous turn during a trip to London in the late 1940s, where she met her future husband, Ottavio “Tai” Missoni, a talented athlete competing in the 400m hurdles at the 1948 Olympic Games. The couple married in 1953, shortly before launching their knitwear workshop in Gallarate, near Milan.

Missoni took off after a landmark order from a Milanese store in 1958 for striped dresses, propelling the brand into the limelight. It gained further attention in 1966 with a high-profile catwalk show, and the ensuing controversy over the transparency of its garments solidified its status in the global fashion arena.

Though Tai Missoni passed away in 2013, their daughter, Angela, has since continued the legacy and growth of the iconic label, while Rosita remained an integral part of the Missoni Home line, epitomizing the brand's spirit until her death.