Rosita Missoni, co-founder of the prestigious Italian knitwear brand Missoni, has passed away at the age of 93. The news was confirmed by Attilio Fontana, the president of Italy's Lombardy region, who praised the brand's iconic "multicoloured textures" and described her death as "a great loss for Italy, Lombardy, and the province of Varese, where she was born and lived."

Rosita established the luxury brand with her husband, Ottavio, in 1953 in northern Italy's Lombardy region. The brand became famous for its distinctive zig-zag motif and vibrant textures. Rosita’s background in textiles, stemming from her parents being shawl makers, combined with her meeting Ottavio at the 1948 Olympic Games in London, laid the foundation for the brand's success.

The Missoni label gained international recognition in the 1960s, marked by its first catwalk show in 1966 and a presentation at the Pitti Palace in Florence the following year. A controversy over the translucent quality of the clothing propelled the brand into global fame. Rosita's daughter, Angela, took over the fashion house in the late 1990s, although Rosita continued to work on the label's home line, Missoni Home.

Rosita's passing signifies the end of an era for the Missoni label, which has been a cornerstone of Italian fashion for over six decades. Her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of fashion designers and enthusiasts alike. As Attilio Fontana noted, Rosita's death is a significant loss for Italy and the fashion world, but her impact on the industry will be remembered for years to come.