
Rosita Missoni
matriarch of the first family of fashion
When 16-year-old Rosita Jelmini met a handsome sprinter during the 1948 Olympics in London, it was the beginning of more than a love affair. Italian Hurdler Octavio "Tai" Missoni had designed his team's tracksuits, while Rosita grew up around her family's embroidery factory. After the 2 married, it seemed only natural to become business partners, too.
The small knitwear workshop they founded would grow into the multi-million dollar Missoni fashion empire. Today, Missoni is a couture label and has expanded into furniture, home goods + even hotels. Rosita and Tai retired in 1997, but their children have lovingly carried on the family brand.
a unique look | colorful striped patterns reminiscent of folk art in clothing that combines multiple fabrics
a garment | space-dyed zigzag sweaters
a powerful brand | for hotels {2009} + furniture + car accessories + homeware ~ including a 2011 line that crashed the Target website
a scrupulous yet daring eye | once sent bra-less models down a Florence runway in see-through tops because their undergarments would have clashed
a winsome hairstyle | cropped, with a tiny pigtail in back
~ resulted when she couldn't get to the hairdresser after breaking her leg in a skiing accident ~
influence | helping Milan become a fashion capital
three big moments + 2
1953 | set up Maglificio Jolly ~ a small shop to make tracksuits and knitwear
~ with husband Ottavio in basement of Gallarte, Italy home ~
1958 | first show in Milan introduced line called Milan Sympathy + the Missoni label
1967 | first catwalk show in Florence causes controversy, but earns Missoni international attention
1970 | opened first in-store Missoni boutique at Bloomingdales
1997 | retired + turned business over to children {would be back with home decor line 7 years later}
her position then | her position now
tracksuit + knitwear designer | owner of one of fashion's premier couture brands
born on
November 20, 1931
born in
Varnese, Italy
birth name
Rosita Jelmini
nickname
Rosy
~ to late husband, Tai ~
lives in
Sumirago, Italy
citizen of
Italy
daughter of
Diamante + Angelo Jelmini
~ owners of shawl embroidery workshop ~
sister of
an older brother
educated at
Sisters of Holy Cross School
~ Besozzo, Italy ~
loved studying
language
married to
Ottavio Missoni
~ 1953 to death in 2013 ~
mother of
2 sons + 1 daughter
oldest son | Vittorio Missoni
~ CEO of Missoni until plane disappeared on Jan. 4, 2013 | later confirmed dead ~
Luca
~ pilot who searched for his brother + Missoini creative director + later technical executive ~
Angela
~ with Luca, works creative side of the family business ~
grandmother of
9 grandchildren
Margherita | Missoni muse and model
Jennifer | actress
influenced by
parents
artists
biggest fans
Diana Vreeland, former editor of Vogue
Kate Middleton
Jessica Alba
Jennifer Lopez
Madonna
Sophia Vergara
in her spare time
enjoys beauty + simple life of Italy
scavenges at flea markets
goes mushroom hunting
cooks
collapse bio bits"[A] piece of clothing should be like a work of art. It should not be bought for a special occasion or because it's in fashion, but because a woman likes it…and feels she could wear it forever."
with Elsa Klensch | may 1978
"In life my aim was first of all to keep the family together."
What Future for La Famiglia? | september 2001
"In the 1990's, I lost the passion. And I don't think you can work in fashion unless you are passionate."
Missoni's Family Mosaic | december 2003
"In my family the women have always worked alongside their husbands."
Rosita Missoni: 60 Colorful Years | december 2008
"Mine is work that is fantastic when it is done with passion, because you have antennae for moods, for feelings that are in the air."
Rosita Missoni: 60 Colorful Years | december 2008
"Often it is the material itself that inspires the form."
Rosita Missoni: 60 Colorful Years | december 2008
"I hate luxury in the sense which is given to luxury and luxury brands. For me, real luxury is good attentive service, and good and comfortable design."
Interview with Missoni Matriarch, Senora Rosita Missoni | march 2011
"I was completely lost without my job, my deadlines and work responsibility. All of a sudden, I was free to do all my hobbies, but I didn’t want to."
Why Rosita Missoni Won't Retire | october 2014
for further reading about Rosita Missoni:
curated with care by Kathleen Murray + Shelagh Bolger {september 2014}
Throwback Thursday: Kate Moss for Missoni F/W 2003
Kate Moss was a popular face of the Missoni publicity campaign in the 2003 season.
Missoni
Rosita Jelmini and Ottavio Missoni
Rosita and Tai with their fabrics -- a great love story.
Art Tatler