The co-founder of the iconic Italian fashion house leaves an indelible mark on the industry, thanks to her bold vision and love of patterns.

Rosita Missoni Jelmini passed away on January 1 at the age of 93, leaving an indelible mark on fashion.
The Missoni founder was 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 her future husband Ottavio Missoni, an athlete participating in the <a href="https://www.lofficiel.com/pop-culture/les-temps-forts-de-la-ceremonie-de-cloture-des-jeux-olympiques-en-images" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Olympic Games</a>. Their union in 1953 marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration that would give birth to the house of Missoni in 1958.
The couple revolutionized fashion with knitwear featuring vibrant zigzag patterns and bold color combinations, quickly adopted by style icons and 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, including legendary fashion editor Diana Vreeland.
By 1998, Rosita passed the torch of artistic direction to her daughter Angela, devoting herself to Missoni's home line, which she relaunched in 2004. This division reflected her desire to bring the label'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 Missoni remained 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. Today, the fashion world mourns the passing of Missoni, and her legacy lives on through the patterns and timeless designs of the house she co-founded, now creatively led by Alberto Caliri.&nbsp;

Photography: Getty Images

Rosita Missoni Passes Away at 93

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Rosita Missoni Passes Away at 93

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