Renowned knitwear designer Rosita Missoni, celebrated for her vibrant color palettes, passes away at the age of 93.
In 1953, she started the enterprise alongside her husband, Ottavio Missoni. They crafted a renowned label distinguished by its vibrant knitwear showcasing intricate geometric patterns and stripes, such as the iconic zigzag design called fiammato.
Hailing from a textile craftsmanship family located near the Italian town of Varese, Rosita specialized in modern languages.
During her excursion to London in 1948 to enhance her English language skills, she crossed paths with Ottavio, who was competing against the Italian 400 metres hurdles team in the city's Olympics.
The Missoni label garnered global acclaim and recognition due to its unique patterns and daring application of textiles and a forward-thinking perspective on fashion, similar to modern art.
This accolade was amplified by an event referred to as the “battle of the bras” in 1967.
Rosita was requested to display at the Pitti Palace in Florence. Upon noticing that the models' bras were showing through their outfits and disturbing the intended color and pattern blends, she urged them to remove their brassieres. However, the outfits became completely transparent under the stage lighting, causing an uproar.
Although they were refused a repeat invitation the following year, the incident propelled Missoni into the limelight as they graced the covers of prestigious fashion publications like Vogue, Elle, and Marie Claire.
Their fashion ensembles, brimming with layers and patterns, captivated a fashion industry shifting towards more subdued aesthetics, subsequently setting the trend for the famed “well-put-together” style.
When the business relocated to Sumirago, an Italian town north of Milan, the Missonis established their abode next door, boasting majestic views of Rosita's beloved Monte Rosa mountains.
Rosita acted as creative director for women's collections until the late 1990s, when she entrusted her daughter, Angela, with the responsibility.
Tragedy struck the family in 2013 following the plane crash of their eldest son, Vittorio Missoni, who served as the company's marketing director.
Ottavio succumbed to his age in May 2013, at 92, just four months after their son's missing plane, but before its wreckage was found.
The label then ventured into home collections and hospitality. In 2018, Italian investment fund FSI invested 70 million euros in the family-run enterprise in exchange for a 41% stake, aiming to expand the brand internationally.
Missoni retained Rothschild as their financial consultant in 2023 to investigate potential sales of the family-owned company.
Rosita's innovative approach to fashion, characterized by vibrant knitwear and geometric patterns, significantly influenced the style of the time.
The Missoni label continued to break boundaries in the fashion world, blending modern art aesthetics with bold textile choices, thereby setting new trends in fashion style.
