In a significant loss to the fashion world, Rosita Missoni, the co-founder of the acclaimed Italian knitwear label Missoni, has passed away at the age of 93. The announcement was made by Attilio Fontana, the president of the Lombardy region in Italy, who highlighted the profound impact of her work on Italian culture, stating it represents a "great loss for Italy, Lombardy, and her beloved province of Varese."

The journey of the Missoni brand began in 1953 when Rosita and her husband, Ottavio, affectionately known as Tai, launched their luxury label in the picturesque northern Italian region. Renowned for its vibrant, multicoloured designs and signature zig-zag patterns, Missoni has become synonymous with high fashion and innovation.

Born in 1931 in Golasecca, Lombardy, Rosita was steeped in creativity from an early age, as her parents were skilled shawl-makers. Her path to fashion took an unexpected turn during her study trip to London in the late 1940s, where she met Tai while he was competing in the 400m hurdles at the 1948 Olympic Games. At that time, Tai was already crafting his own line of knitwear, including innovative tracksuits designed for athletes.

Their shared passion for textiles and design led them to marry in 1953, shortly before they established a small machine-knitwear workshop in Gallarate, just northwest of Milan. The couple’s big break arrived in 1958, when a Milanese department store made a significant order of striped dresses bearing the Missoni label, thus kickstarting their success in the fashion industry.

The brand gained further acclaim with its first catwalk show in 1966, followed by a showcase at the prestigious Pitti Palace in Florence the next year. The Missoni name captured global attention during a bold fashion moment when models were controversially asked to remove their white bras to avoid visible lines beneath the brand's sheer garments.

Rosita continued to play an instrumental role in the business even after Tai's passing in 2013 at the age of 92. Their daughter, Angela, took charge of the fashion house in the late '90s, ensuring that the Missoni legacy endured while Rosita remained dedicated to the brand's home line, Missoni Home.

Rosita Missoni's legacy is not only reflected in the striking designs of the brand but also in her pioneering spirit and innovative approach to knitwear that forever altered the landscape of the fashion industry. As tributes pour in from around the globe, Rosita will be remembered as a true icon whose contributions continue to inspire generations of designers.