Missoni fashion empire has announced Ottavio Missoni, its co-founder, has died at the age of 92.

The company gave no cause of death for the designer, saying only that Ottavio had “passed away serenely” in his home in Italy.

Missoni founded the fashion brand known for its bold stripes and zigzag-patterned knitwear.

His designs have graced the rich and famous such as Jackie Kennedy and even the young royal, the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton.

However, before Ottavio Missoni died, tragedy had struck his family earlier this year, when his eldest son Vittorio Missoni, 58, disappeared with his wife and children. They had been flying in a small plane during a vacation to a Venezuelan island.