Rosita Missoni: Legacy of Patterns and Passion

Rosita Missoni, Italian designer and co-founder of the Missoni brand, passed away at 93. Known for her vibrant knitwear designs, she and her husband Ottavio introduced the iconic zigzag motif. Despite early challenges, Missoni achieved international acclaim and expanded into home collections, solidifying its influence in fashion.

Italian fashion designer Rosita Missoni, a pioneer known for her vivid knitwear designs, has died at the age of 93, according to a company statement released on Thursday. Alongside her husband Ottavio, Rosita started the Missoni brand in 1953, which gained fame for its colorful patterns, especially its signature zigzag motif.

Hailing from a family of textile artisans near Varese, Italy, Rosita's journey in fashion began in earnest after her encounter with Ottavio at the 1948 London Olympics, where he participated as part of the Italian 400 meters hurdles team. Their shared venture in fashion saw the Missoni brand earn international recognition as the duo infused avant-garde textile techniques into their creations.

A defining moment in the brand's history occurred during a 1967 show at Florence's Pitti Palace, where an unexpected wardrobe mishap led to transparency under runway lighting, catapulting Missoni into fashion prominence. Despite setbacks like the tragic 2013 plane crash that took their son Vittorio, the Missoni brand continued to evolve, expanding into home collections and attracting significant investment and interest.

(With inputs from agencies.)