Rosita Missoni's Daring Designs and Scandalous Catwalks: A Fashion Revolution!

Whoa! Brace yourself for the color explosion that was Rosita Missoni! The iconic fashion designer behind the legendary knitwear brand has passed away at 93, but her legacy is anything but dull. This is the woman who turned the world of fashion upside down with her mind-blowing designs, propelling Italian ready-to-wear into the global spotlight in the swinging 50s and 60s.

Her journey started in Lombardy as Rosita Jelmini, before crossing paths with her husband, Ottavio. By 1953, the dynamic duo had opened a small knitwear shop, and the fashion world would never be the same. Their bold use of psychedelic prints and that unmistakable zig-zag pattern emerged as the ultimate symbols of the Italian dolce vita.

And hold onto your hats! Rosita sent shockwaves through the industry in 1967 after sending braless models in sheer tops down the catwalk at Florence’s Pitti Palace. The move got them banned, but no worries, the fashion elite in the form of Diana Vreeland and Anna Piaggi had their backs.

Rosita and Ottavio weren’t just fashion geniuses—they were a full-on family affair, with their children and grandchildren playing starring roles in the business. The notorious zigzag patterns? Crafted using Raschel machines, a method initially meant for shawls and blankets that transformed fashion as we know it.

Tragically, Rosita’s son, Vittorio, passed away in a plane crash in 2013, shortly before Ottavio’s own death. But this game-changer wasn't about to rest. Until the end, she reveled in being one of style's biggest influencers, welcoming photographers into her poetry-in-color Lombardy abode.

Rosita leaves behind a colorful legacy, two children, nine grandchildren, and countless seekers of style inspired by her genius. Does Missoni equal timeless fashion royalty? You bet it does! Witness the astounding impact of Rosita’s vivid mark on the world here.