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

Rosita Missoni, a pivotal figure in the fashion industry, has died at the age of 93, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and style that redefined knitwear.

Rosita Missoni, co-founder of the legendary Italian knitwear label Missoni, has passed away at the age of 93. This news was confirmed by Attilio Fontana, the president of Lombardy, who expressed condolences, noting the impactful contribution of Rosita’s work to Italy's fashion landscape and hailing her brand’s distinctive “multicoloured textures.”

Born in 1931 in Golasecca, Lombardy, Rosita established the luxury fashion house with her husband, Ottavio Missoni, in 1953. The couple's journey began when they met during her English studies in London, coinciding with Tai's involvement in the 1948 Olympic Games as a competitor in the 400m hurdles. Tai was already making waves with his innovative knit track suits, which laid the groundwork for their future endeavors.

After their marriage in the same year, Rosita and Tai set up a workshop in Gallarate, northwest of Milan. Their breakthrough came in 1958 when a leading Milanese department store ordered a substantial number of striped dresses featuring their logo. This success paved the way for Missoni’s debut catwalk presentation in 1966, which was followed by a memorable show in Florence where the brand gained international recognition amid a scandal regarding the sheer quality of its garments.

Rosita and Tai continued to thrive in the fashion world until Tai's passing in 2013. Their daughter, Angela, stepped in as the head of the fashion house, although Rosita remained active in the brand’s home collection, Missoni Home.

The fashion community will remember Rosita Missoni not just as a designer, but as a trailblazer who helped shape the world of contemporary knitwear.