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

Remembered for her groundbreaking contributions to fashion, Rosita Missoni's passing marks a significant moment in the industry.

Rosita Missoni, the beloved co-founder of the renowned Italian knitwear brand Missoni, has passed away at the age of 93. Her death was confirmed by Attilio Fontana, the president of Italy's Lombardy region, who hailed her contributions to fashion, noting the brand's signature “multicolored textures” that revolutionized knitwear design. Fontana expressed deep sorrow at her passing, calling it a “great loss” for Italy, Lombardy, and her hometown of Varese.

In 1953, Rosita co-established the luxurious Missoni label alongside her late husband Ottavio, who was affectionately known as Tai. Born in 1931 in Golasecca, a quaint town in Lombardy, Rosita’s journey into the fashion world began when her family's legacy as shawl-makers inspired her early passion for textiles. Her life took a fateful turn during a trip to London, where she met Tai while he participated in the 400m hurdles at the 1948 Olympics. Tai’s creativity shone through as he crafted unique knit tracksuits, paving the way for their future ventures.

Reflecting on their marriage, Rosita once shared, “When I got married, four sewing machines arrived with my husband." Together, they established a machine-knitwear workshop in Gallarate, northwest of Milan, marking the beginning of a transformative fashion journey. Their breakthrough arrived in 1958 when a Milanese department store placed a substantial order for hundreds of Missoni's striped dresses, elevating the brand’s profile.

The Missoni brand achieved further acclaim with its first catwalk show in 1966, followed by a notable presentation at Florence's Pitti Palace the next year. The fashion house gained international fame when it stirred controversy over the visibility of undergarments on the runway, which dramatically captured public attention. Tai Missoni laid to rest in 2013 at age 92, and while Angela, their daughter, stepped in to lead the brand in the late '90s, Rosita remained active, particularly in the brand’s home decor line, Missoni Home.