AKIPRESS.COM - Gilberto Benetton, co-founder of the eponymous clothing brand, has died at the age of 77 after an illness, the Italian group announced, Guardian reports.

“Gilberto Benetton died at home today in Treviso [north-east Italy] following a brief illness,” the Benetton group said in a brief statement on Monday. “His wife, Lalla, daughters Barbara and Sabrina and son-in-law Ermanno were with him in his final moments.”

His death comes three months after that of younger brother Carlo in July, aged 74.

Benetton was founded by three brothers, Luciano, Carlo, and Gilberto, and their sister Giuliana, who launched a homemade production line in Ponzano Veneto, a village near Venice, in the 1960s. Their sweaters proved popular items in local stores and a brand was born. Their signature soft wool jumpers made in a variety of colours quickly seduced the masses.

At the time of his death, Gilberto Benetton was vice-president of Edizione, the family holding company.