In a sad turn of events, Rosita Missoni, the beloved matriarch of the renowned Italian fashion label that revolutionized high fashion with its vibrant zigzag-knit designs, has passed away at the age of 93. Her peaceful death occurred on Wednesday, as confirmed by a statement from both Missoni SpA and the Missoni family.
On Thursday, local officials expressed their condolences, reflecting on Missoni’s deep connections to Gallarate, a small city in northern Italy where the Missoni brand originated from a modest artisan workshop back in 1953.
Rosita, originally known as Rosita Jelmini, was born into a family that ran a textile factory specializing in shawls. Her journey in fashion began when she met and wed Ottavio Missoni, leading to the establishment of their namesake fashion house in Gallarate. Together, they built a fashion dynasty, with their three children and subsequent generations actively participating in the brand’s expansion and success.
The Missoni label first gained significant recognition in 1958 when the prestigious Rinascente department store ordered 500 striking vertically striped shirt dresses, marking the debut of the Missoni label in the fashion world. The brand made its runway debut in Milan in 1966, contributing to the city’s ascendance as a fashion capital.
Known for its iconic graphic zigzag patterns, Missoni’s creations have long been celebrated for their comfortable wearability and ability to transcend fleeting fashion trends. Often, family members served as the brand’s best models, regularly donning Missoni’s distinctive pieces in their daily lives.
In 1997, the couple passed the reins of the business to their children, although Rosita continued to actively participate in the Missoni home collection. The family faced a devastating double tragedy in 2013 during the brand’s 60th anniversary celebrations; the eldest son and company CEO, Vittorio Missoni, tragically vanished in a plane crash over Venezuela. After a lengthy search, the plane debris was found six months later, during which time Ottavio Missoni passed away at the age of 92.
In 2018, the Missoni family made the decision to sell a 41.2% stake in the company to the Italian investment firm FSI while maintaining the majority control of the iconic fashion house. More recently, in 2021, their youngest daughter, Angela Missoni, stepped down from her role as creative director after an impressive 24-year tenure.
At this moment, there has been no announcement regarding funeral arrangements.
