The fashion community mourns the loss of Ottavio Missoni.
The founder of the iconic label bearing his name passed away Thursday morning at his home in Sumirago, Italy, at the age of 92. The cause of death remains unclear, but Missoni was treated for a respiratory condition last week, according to The New York Times. In a statement, the Missoni label said he "passed away serenely," and that an announcement about funeral arrangements is forthcoming.
Before Missoni started his label, he was an accomplished Olympic athlete.
Ottavio founded Missoni in 1953 with his wife Rosita, who came from a family of knitwear designers.
The label really started taking off in the mid-'60s when Rosita brought French stylist Emmanuelle Khanh on as a collaborator.
Ottavio used graph paper to make the Missoni label's iconic prints.
The Missonis went on to have three children: Angela, Luca, and Vittorio.
The Missonis worked tirelessly on their line and runway shows for decades before ceding control of the company to their children.
Here, Ottavio poses with Rosita in a pile of their iconic fabrics.
Ottavio was a signature presence at Missoni shows throughout his life.
His grandchildren — Margherita, Francesco, and Teresa Missoni — are becoming fashion icons in their own right.
Ottavio appeared in a Missoni ad campaign shot by Juergen Teller featuring the family.
He was an expected presence at fashion events.
He will be deeply missed by the fashion community at large.
