Ottavio “Tai” Missoni, the patriarch of the Missoni brand, died this morning in Sumirago, Italy. The Missoni press office issued the following statement:
The Missoni Family announces that Ottavio Missoni passed away peacefully at home at the age of 92, surrounded by his family. The day and time of his burial will be communicated soon.
Tai turned to fashion after a career as an Olympic 400m runner, founding his woolwear brand in 1955. Originally called “Maglificio Jolly,” he changed its name to Missoni in 1958. The house quickly established its iconic zigzag pattern and broke status quo by using braless models in the sixties, which gave their sweaters a sexy reputation.
This year has been an emotional rollercoaster for the Missoni clan. In January, Tai’s son Vittorio disappeared along with his small plane off the coast of Venezuela; after weeks of fruitless searching, wreckage was found in the ocean. One month later, Tai’s granddaughter Margherita announced her pregnancy. Here’s hoping the family sees more zigs than zags in the coming future.