Ottavio Missoni, aged 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family in his hometown of Sumirago, Italy. Often stating that he fell into fashion by accident, Missoni began his career as a track and field athlete. World War II cut short his sportsmanship however, and he was made a prisoner of war. After being set free, Missoni began his foray into fashion by designing wool tracksuits, worn by the Italian team at the 1948 Olympics.
Founding Missoni, in 1953, the same year that he married his wife, Rosita, the company, famous for its zig zag patterns, has since grown into a thriving family business. Unfortunately, 2013 has not been a year for the late patriarch’s dynasty, as early January, Missoni CEO, Vittorio Missoni, 58, disappeared along with his wife off the coast of Venezuela and was never found. Granddaughter Margherita, 30, is expecting a child this August, an event certain to bring joy to the Missonis once again.
