Italian fashion designer Rosita Missoni, one of the founders of the Italian fashion house Missoni, died on Thursday at the age of 93. Missoni was renowned for her colorful knitwear and the geometric patterns — most notably iconic zigzag stripes — that became synonymous with the brand she established with her husband, Ottavio Missoni, in 1958. Over the years, she gained worldwide acclaim for her kaleidoscopic and vibrant designs and was regarded as part of a wave of designers who introduced Italian fashion to the global market in the 1950s and 1960s.
Her unique textile patterns and original color combinations were often likened to modern art. 5 View gallery Rosita Missoni ( Photo: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images for Missoni for Target ) 5 View gallery Missoni's 2024 collection ( Photo: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images ) Born in 1931 in Italy to a family of textile artisans, she met Ottavio Missoni in 1948 during a visit to London , where he was competing as part of the Italian Olympic team. After their marriage in 1953, the couple opened a small knitwear shop, which later evolved into a factory they established next to their home.
In 1958, they presented their first collection in Milan under their family name. In 1967, Missoni sparked controversy in Italy when she sent models down the runway wearing knits without bras after noticing how undergarments affected the color and pattern of the garments. 5 View gallery Ottavio and Rosita Missoni ( Photo: Vittorio Zunino Celo.