In 1953, Ottavio “Tai” Missoni (1921–2013) and Rosita Missoni (b. 1931) opened a small knitwear shop in Gallarate, Italy, paving the way for what would become an iconic style of colorful chevron knit.
Missoni began with a tracksuit, which featured zippers down the legs because, as Rosita recalls it, “Tai was too lazy to take off his shoes when putting them on.” The couple’s fashion really took off, though, once they discovered the Raschel knitting machine on a trip to a shawl factory. The machine enabled the Missonis to knit multiple colors in a zigzag pattern, a motif that would go on to become synonymous with the Missoni brand across everything from its alluring vintage day dresses and sweaters to its purses, seating and rugs.
Missoni held its first fashion show in Florence in 1967 and caused a bit of a sensation when the models’ Lurex dresses proved translucent under the lights at the Pitti Palace. Scandal aside, the show went down in history as a hit, and the Missonis soon made their debut in the United States with the help of legendary fashion editor Diana Vreeland, who gave the variegated Missoni stripe the Vogue seal of approval, saying, “Who says a rainbow has seven colors? It has many shades.” (It was also Vreeland who reportedly introduced the Missonis to Neiman Marcus president Stanley Marcus, effectively shepherding the brand to the American market.)
Missoni’s many-shaded rainbow would soon become an emblem of the 1970s fashion scene, earning the brand a permanent place in the fashion canon. In 1973, the New York Times proclaimed: “Missoni’s weaved garments have ended up universal materialistic trifles, as Vuitton sacks and Gucci shoes.”
The brand branched into the home market in 1983, with Rosita overseeing this new venture, Missoni Home, which included furniture, textiles and accessories. Daughter Angela succeeded her mother at the helm of the brand, where she served as creative director until 2021 and is currently president; her brother Luca is CEO, while her daughter Margherita was creative director of M Missoni, a modestly priced offshoot that was discontinued in 2021.
Find vintage Missoni clothing and accessories today on 1stDibs.
Missoni Bold Shades Of Fuchsia Floral Silk Scarf
By Missoni
Located in New York, NY
Missoni wonderful multicolors of fuchsia, lavender, and greens floral silk scarf is accented with Deep-fuchsia borders and rolled edges. Scarf measures 27 1/2 inches by 28 inches. Ma...
Missoni Yellow & Blue Zigzag Scarf
By Missoni
Located in Amman, JO
Infuse your wardrobe with Italian elegance through this Missoni Yellow & Blue Zigzag Scarf, a true statement piece from the legendary fashion house. Crafted in Missoni’s signature kn...
$70Sale Price|74% Off
Missoni Multicolor Knit Scarf
By Missoni
Located in Amman, JO
Inject color and character into your wardrobe with this Missoni multicolor knit scarf, showcasing the brand’s iconic zigzag and wave pattern in a vibrant palette of purple, lime gree...
Missoni, multicolor zig zag scarf
By Missoni
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Missoni, multicolor zig zag scarf. This item is in good condition.
Missoni Brown Label, Knitted Scarf in Green and Peach
By Missoni, Missoni Brown label
Located in London, GB
A super scarf for Spring by Missoni, Brown Label. In a mohair, wol and nylon mix, the scarf is in a pretty avocado green colour with peach, blue and brown and has three bows at one ...
Missoni Iconic Signature MultiColor "ZigZag" Silk Scarf
By Missoni
Located in New York, NY
Missoni wonderfully detailed iconic signature Multicolor ZigZag silk scarf finished with hand-rolled edges, measures 35 inches by 36 inches. Made in Italy.
Missoni Signature Multicolor Zig-Zag Scarf with Fringe
By Missoni
Located in New York, NY
Missoni signature multi-color zig-zag scarf is accented with fringe and measures 22 inches by 74 inches. Made of 73 percent Merino wool and 27 percent viscose nylon. Woven and...
Missoni, Multicolor scarf with zig zag print
By Missoni
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Missoni, Multicolor scarf with zig zag print. The item is in good condition.
Missoni Multi-Color Color-Block Floral Silk Jacquard scarf
By Missoni
Located in New York, NY
Missoni wonderful multi-colored color-block floral silk jacquard scarf measures 34" x 35", finished with hand-rolled edges. Made in Italy.
Huge Missoni multicolor Bold-print cotton scarf
By Missoni
Located in New York, NY
This wonderfully detailed huge Missoni multi-color bold print cotton scarf measures 51" x 51". Original tags are still attached.
1990S MISSONI Purple Wool Blend Chevron Knitted Scarf
By Missoni
Located in New York, NY
1990S MISSONI Purple Wool Blend Chevron Knitted Scarf
Missoni Multi Pattern Black Silk Scarf
By Missoni
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Missoni vintage multi pattern silk twill scarf. Hand rolled edges. Care tag still attached.
$250Sale Price|20% Off
MISSONI Black Multi-Color Abstract Print Silk Scarf
By Missoni
Located in San Francisco, CA
MISSONI scarf comes in a multi-color abstract print silk. Made in Italy. Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. Measurements: 35 inches x 35 inches Reference: 119779 Category:...
Missoni Huge multicolor rectangle scarf
By Missoni
Located in New York, NY
Missoni Huge Multi-color silk chiffon rectangle scarf measures 25 1/2" x 67" finished with hand-rolled edges.
I Magnin 1970s Turquoise Teal Blue Paisley Print Metallic Large 70s Fringe Shawl
By I Magnin and Co
Located in San Diego, CA
Brilliant large 1970s I MAGNIN turquoise / teal blue rayon fringed piano shawl ! Paisley print in vibrant colors of fuchsia pink, purple, green and yellow throughout. Metallic gold ...
Hermes 'Rives Fertiles' Silk Scarf 90cm x 90cm
By Hermès
Located in Glasgow, GB
Silk scarf from Hermes. Designed by Christine Henry in 2005, a year designated by Hermes as The Year of The River, the design is inspired by the Fertile Crescent, featuring a scene o...
S/S 2001 Gucci by Tom Ford Lava Print Pink Silk Square Scarf
By Tom Ford, Gucci
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a rare pink lava print Gucci scarf designed by Tom Ford. The lava design debuted on the men's Spring/Summer 2001 runway and was used heavily in womenswear. This print was quite popular, and Kim Cattrall...
$1,196Sale Price|20% Off
2000s Christian Dior by John Galliano Knit Brown Sable Mink Fur Scarf
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a fabulous brown knit mink Christian Dior scarf designed by John Galliano. From the early 2000s, this luxurious scarf is the perfect addition t...
Beautiful Vintage White Sheer Pearl + Beads + Sequins Encrusted Shawl Scarf
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage white sheer oversized piano shawl / scarf! Feature thousands of hand-sewn pearl, beads, rhinestones and sequins. Pearl tassels feature pink iridescent pailliettes o...
1980s Gucci Floral Sketch Silk Scarf
By Gucci
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Unique floral printed Gucci scarf circa the 1980s! Vibrant green solid background with an incredible array of colorful florals- contrasted by black and white “sketch...
Emilio Pucci Silk Pink & Purple Abstract Printed Scarf
By Emilio Pucci
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Step into a world of vibrant style with this Emilio Pucci Vintage Silk Pink & Purple Abstract Printed Scarf, a quintessential piece that embodies...
1980s Gucci Red Paisley Printed Fringe Shawl
By Gucci
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Amazing 1980s Gucci red paisley print shawl! Solid red background printed all over with an ornate persian rug inspired pattern! Super soft with lightly fra...
HERMES Hugo Grygkar Brides de Gala brown white print silk scarf 90cm
By Hermès
Located in Hong Kong, NT
HERMES Hugo Grygkar Brides de Gala brown white print silk scarf 90cm Reference: AEMA/A00075 Brand: Hermes Model: Hugo Grygkar Brides de Gala Material: Silk...
Hermes "La Prairie" 90 cm Green Flower Garden Print Silk Scarf
By Hermès
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Hermes "La Prairie" 90 cm Green Flower Garden Print Silk Scarf is a stunning showcase of nature’s beauty, intricately detailed with vibrant florals that evoke the tranquility of ...
HERMES silk BINGATA Twilly Scarf Scarf Vert Noir Saumon Moutarde
By Hermès
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Hermès Bingata twilly by Natsuno Hidaka in Vert Noir (sage green), Saumon (salmon) and Moutard (mustard) silk twill (100%) with de...
HERMES Cavalleria Favolosa Silk Twill Scarf
By Hermès
Located in Hong Kong, NT
HERMES Della Cavalleria Favolosa 140 Virginie Jamin Split Pegasus double face silk twill scarf Reference: TGAS/F00961 Brand: Hermes Model: Della Cavalleria Favolosa 140 Material: Sil...
Missoni Multicolor Knit Scarf
By Missoni
Located in Amman, JO
Celebrate vibrant Italian craftsmanship with this Missoni Multicolor Knit Scarf, a signature piece from the fashion house known for its bold and artistic patterns. Featuring a lively...
Missoni Woven Fringed Scarf
By Missoni
Located in London, GB
Missoni Woven Fringed Scarf Pink woven scarf blended with the vibrant shades of orange, purple, pink and blue. Finished with a flurry of long, delicate fringes. Rrp Approx. £190 ...
Missoni
By Missoni
Located in Amman, JO
Elevate your accessories game with this stunning Missoni metallic shimmer scarf. Crafted from a luxe ribbed knit fabric, this neutral-toned piece is infused with subtle metallic thre...
MISSONI Beige Multi Color Zig Zag Viscose Knit Fringe Scarf Shawl
By Missoni
Located in San Francisco, CA
MISSONI scarf in a beige and multicolor viscose featuring signature open knit zig zag pattern, and fringe ends.Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. Multiple minor snags. Measurements: ...
MISSONI Grey & Black Ombre Rayon Blend Scarf
By Missoni
Located in San Francisco, CA
MISSONI scarf comes in a grey & black ombre rayon blend with full silk liner. Made in Italy. New With Tags. Measurements: 66 inches x 10.5 inches Reference: 112552 Ca...
MISSONI Multi Color Zig Zag Wool Acrylic Knit Scarf
By Missoni
Located in San Francisco, CA
MISSONI scarf in a multi-color wool blend knit fabric, featuring zig-zag pattern and fringe trim.Excellent Pre-Owned Condition. Measurements: 36 inches x 18.5 inches R...
MISSONI Red Black Knitted Lana Wool Scarf
By Missoni
Located in San Francisco, CA
MISSONI scarf comes in a red & black knitted print merino wool with a fringe trim. Made in Italy. Excellent Pre-Owned Condition. Measurements: 78 inches x 15 inches Re...
Missoni Glittery Chevron Knit Shawl - '10s
By Missoni
Located in Milano, Lombardia
This Missoni knit shawl is woven into a stunning chevron pattern with fringed edges. The shawl features a glittery finish that adds a touch of glamour to the overall look making it p...
MISSONI blue viscose FRINGE ZIGZAG TRIANGLE Shawl Scarf
By Missoni
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Missoni fringed zigzag knitted triangular shawl in royal blue, mustard, turquoise, white, pale pink and brown viscose (100%). Brand new w...
Gorgeous Vintage Multicolor Missoni Silk Scarf
By Missoni, Angela Missoni
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Gorgeous vintage Missoni silk scarf in mint pristine condition. Missoni Iconic Signature Multicolor "ZigZag" Silk Scarf Carre silk Missoni. Great gi...
MISSONI Black & Orange Silk Spotted Print Scarf
By Missoni
Located in San Francisco, CA
MISSONI scarf comes in black silk twill with an all over spotted geometric print. Made in Italy. Excellent Pre-Owned Condition. 86 x 86 cm.
MISSONI Sciarpe Beige & Brown Knitted Wool / Silk Scarf
By Missoni
Located in San Francisco, CA
MISSONI "Sciarpe" scarf comes in a beige & brown knitted wool / silk with a two inch fringe trim. Made in Italy. Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. Measurements: 68 in. x 14.5 in.