Sergio Rossi (1935 – 3 April 2020) was an Italian shoe designer, who founded his own brand.  Born in San Mauro Pascoli, he worked with his father, a shoemaker, and learned the trade.

In 1951, he opened his first shoe store in his hometown. He also made sandals and sold them to beach-goers in Rimini and at Bologna boutiques. In 1968, the first shoes, marked with the Rossi brand, were produced.

On 3 April 2020, Rossi died in Cesena from COVID-19, amid its pandemic in Italy, at the age of 84.