Rosita Missoni leaves us at the age of 93
Co-founder of the iconic Italian fashion house Missoni, her bold vision and love of colourful patterns redefined luxury ready-to-wear, making Missoni a global symbol of elegance and innovation.
Born Rosita Jelmini in 1931 in Golasecca, in the province of Varese, north of Milan, she grew up in a family specializing in the manufacture of shawls and embroidered fabrics, which immersed her from a very young age in the world of textiles. In 1948, during a language trip to London , she met Ottavio Missoni , an athlete participating in the Olympic Games . Their union in 1953 marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration that would give birth to the Maison Missoni in 1958.
The couple revolutionized fashion with knitwear featuring vibrant zigzag patterns and bold colour combinations , quickly adopted by style icons and fashion enthusiasts around the world. Their first collection under the Missoni label was presented in Milan in 1958, and their fame grew thanks to the support of influential figures such as editor Diana Vreeland.
In 1998, Rosita passed the torch of artistic direction to her daughter Angela, devoting herself to the Missoni Home line, which she relaunched in 2004. This division reflected her desire to bring Missoni 's distinctive aesthetic to the world of interior design, consolidating the brand's influence beyond ready-to-wear.
Despite challenges, including the loss of her husband Ottavio in 2013 and their son Vittorio the same year, Rosita remains an active and inspiring figure in the family business. Her unwavering passion for design and commitment to innovation have kept Missoni relevant and appealing over the decades.
As the fashion world mourns the passing of Rosita Missoni , her legacy lives on through the iconic patterns and timeless designs of the house she co-founded. Her influence continues to resonate, inspiring current and future generations of designers to embrace colour, pattern and boldness in their work.
