Vittorio Missoni, Italian Fashion House Executive, Missing After Plane Disappears in Venezuela: Search-and-Rescue Underway

Reports confirm that popular Italian fashion executive Vittorio Missoni, his wife Maurizia Castiglioni, and four other individuals have gone missing after their small aircraft disappeared off the coast of Venezuela on Friday, January 4. A sea-and-air search-and-rescue mission is currently underway.

The Italian consul in Venezuela announced early Saturday, January 5:

"[The plane] disappeared yesterday. They have been looking for it with helicopters and ships, but have not found anything yet. They are still searching for it this morning."

Missoni, a renowned fashion house stationed in Varese, Italy, was founded by Ottavio "Tai" Missoni and Rosita Missoni in 1953. The couple then handed down the business to their three children - Vittorio, Luca, and Angela - in 1996. The famed Italian fashion house is best known for its knitwear designs and colorful patterns made from a variety of fabrics.

The small, twin-engine aircraft that took off from the Los Roques Venezuelan resort carrying the six individuals (including two crew members) went missing shortly after its Saturday departure.  

A spokesperson for the Italian fashion house recently issued this statement:

"The Missoni family has been informed by the Venezuelan Consulate that Vittorio Missoni and his wife are missing, but we don't know any more."

Stay tuned-in with Mstarz for further details as the story developes.