THANKS YOU OTTAVIO MISSONI by FRANCA SOZZANI

 

Yesterday the funeral of Ottavio Missoni. I came out smiling from the church for the serenity with which he was held throughout the function, for the serenity with which his wife Rosita's daughter Angela, son Luke and grandchildren have joined at this time. And for the ease with which they greeted friends. They had a smile for everyone.


Is it really true that one reaps what it sows in life. There was color and not just in the clothes of the family but there was color everywhere to brighten everything. There was grim despair and sadness, but there was light.


Ottavio was ironic and solar. Ottavio with Rosita founded the Italian prêt à porter in '68. It all started from an idea ingenious and simple. Mix the colors which most liked in a design which is now called simply Missoni. They created a way of dressing so daring at the time, and so relevant today. "It changed the fashion, but fashion has not changed him," he said just a friend.


And it's true. He laughed at so many fashion exhibitionism. For him, the fashion was his way of expressing himself. "If God exists is a fashion designer," he said recently at his friend in the sermon priest who also added that now'll be arguing with God for not exchange his brushes.


It was a funeral at the height of the character. He has given so much, he did know the Made in Italy around the world, he left a style recognizable to all, but especially left an image of himself special. He was handsome, tall and famous.


Famous even before becoming a designer because he had been one of the glories of athletics. "He had a special stride that was recognized at a distance", he remembered his nephew through the words of his brother.


He was always on, always in front of everyone, in the physical sense and intellectual.

by Franca Sozzani.