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.
Mah Jong Kenzo Missoni Sectional Sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois
By Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois, Kenzo Takada, Missoni
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Iconic large Roche Bobois Mah Jong modular 22 piece sectional sofa designed in the mid 20th century by Hans Hopfer (German b. 1931). This special set measures 19 feet wide and featu...
Fabric, Foam
Mah Jong Modular Sofa by Kenzo Takada & Missoni for Roche Bobois, Set of 18
By Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois, Kenzo Takada, Missoni
Located in Buccinasco, MI
An iconic and highly decorative Mah Jong modular sofa, originally designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, presented here in a rare and sophisticated configuration upholstered with ...
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Foam
$48,279 / set
H 27.56 in W 37.41 in D 37.41 in
Large Mah Jong sofa in original fabric by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois 35 pieces
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Large Mah Jong sectional sofa in original fabric designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois in original fabric. The sofa features 35 pieces: 20 seat cushions 9 backrest (2 corner back...
Fabric, Foam
$13,464 / set
H 26.38 in W 118.12 in D 78.75 in
ROCHE BOBOIS 11 PiECE KENZO MAH JONG BY HANS HOPFER CORNER MODULAR SOFA SET
By Roche Bobois
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this collectable Roche Bobois 11 Piece Kenzo Mah Jong Corner sofa set by Hans Hopfer Please note the deliv...
Upholstery
Mah Jong by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois 1st Edition Sofa
By Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare and iconic 1st edition circa 1971 Mah Jong modular sectional sofa consisting of ten element pillows. The sofa was designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois in this avant-garde de...
Fabric, Foam
$14,130
H 35.44 in W 106.3 in D 35.44 in
Hans Hopfer 'Dromadaire' Sectional Sofa in beige mohair velvet, Roche Bobois
By Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois
Located in amstelveen, NL
Hans Hopfer 'Dromadaire' Sectional Sofa in Mohair wool, Roche Bobois, 1970 Sectional sofa designed by Hans Hopfer and manufactured by Roche Bobois in France circa 1970. A very rare ...
Mohair, Velvet
$34,000 / set
H 21 in W 190 in D 115 in
Mah Jong Kenzo Missoni Sectional Sofa Hans Hopfer Roche Bobois 2015
By Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Iconic large Roche Bobois Mah Jong modular sectional sofa designed in the midcentury by Hans Hopfer. The dramatic sofa features Kenzo Takada (Japanese 1939-2020) and Missoni fabrics ...
Fabric, Foam
$10,596 / set
H 23.63 in W 37.8 in D 37.8 in
Voyage Immobile Modular Sofa by Studio Roche Bobois for Roche Bobois x Kenzo
By Roche Bobois, Kenzo Takada
Located in Conversano, IT
Extraordinary modular sofa from the "Voyage Immobile" collection, designed by Studio Roche Bobois in the 1990s - an iconic piece of contemporary design...
Fabric
Original Roche Bobois Leather Sofa
By Roche Bobois
Located in Miami, FL
Original Roche Bobois Sofa, most likely Buffalo Leather, black wood legs, down filled cushions, cushions attached with zippers. Great quality. Please see all pictures, no damages, no...
Leather
$5,406 / set
H 21.66 in W 37.41 in D 37.41 in
21stC "Mah Jong" Sectional Sofa By Hans Hopfer For Roche Bobois, France c.2000
By Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Elevate a living space with this stunning designer “Mah Jong” modular sofa suite by Roche Bobois. The set consists of two seat cushions, and two backrests. The layout of the sofa mak...
Fabric
$3,767
H 25.6 in W 74.02 in D 37.01 in
Black leather Player sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, France, 1972
By Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois
Located in Lyon, FR
Rare Modular “Player” Sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, Early 1970s A rare and iconic modular sofa designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois in 1972. Upholstered in supple black ...
Leather
Mah Jong sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois
By Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois
Located in Marseille, FR
Mah Jong sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, 1970s, entirely reupholstered by Relax Factory workshop in Marseille, France, in a beautiful Limon linen Pierre Frey fabric. Excellent...
Linen
$4,400
H 25.2 in W 39.38 in D 38.19 in
Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois Post-Modern Lounge in Off-White Fabric
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, lounge chair, reupholstered fabric, France, late 1970s This substantial lounge chair as part of the 'Croissant' sofa is designed by Hans Hopfer for Ro...
Fabric
Roche Bobois Eighteen Piece Mah Jong Set
By Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois
Located in Basildon, London
The Roche Bobois Mah Jong Sofa, a design icon by Hans Hopfer, epitomises modular versatility and luxurious comfort. The set showcases Roche Bobois' signature patterns, creating a har...
Foam, Upholstery
Sold
H 20.87 in W 149.61 in D 112.21 in
Mah Jong Modular Landscape Lounge Sofa by Hans Hopfer & Missoni for Roche Bobois
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer, Missoni
Located in Izegem, VWV
The Mah Jong sofa group was designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois in 1971. Large modular sofa with a mixture of components, hand-sewn rolled edge, quilted seat and back cushions,...
Fabric, Silk
Mah Jong Sofa by Missoni for Roche Bobois, 2000s Italy
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer, Missoni
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Mah Jong sofa designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois. An iconic sofa design made in Italy and fully upholstered in stunning original Missoni fabric. Not a single stain or...
Fabric
Vintage Roche Bobois Mah Jong Missoni Sofa
By Hans Hopfer, Missoni, Roche Bobois
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Wonderful large vintage Roche Bobois Mah Jong sofa designed by Hans Hopfer in the 1970’s. This set features Missoni fabric. Some of the piec...
Fabric
Sold
H 27.75 in W 40 in D 40 in
'Mah Jong' 11 Piece Living Room Set by Missoni for Roche Bobois France, Signed
By Missoni, Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This large living room set designed by Hans Hopfer and edited by Missoni for Roche Bobois, is called the "Mah Jong" sectional sofa. Included in this set are eleven (11) pieces in total which include 7 square seat cushions (which also function as large ottomans and can be stacked), 3 straight seat backs (one of which has the upgraded tilt-back feature) and 1 corner back. Signed with Roche Bobois labels and repeat fabric. The best part of this set is that you can mix and match the cushions, pillows and seat backs to make any style arrangement you wish, and create a customized room which you can change as frequently as your heart desires... you can create small and large sofas, loveseats, lounge chairs and ottomans using...
Fabric
Sold
H 27.75 in W 40 in D 40 in
'Mah Jong' 27 Piece Living Room Set by Missoni for Roche Bobois France, Signed
By Missoni, Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredibly large living room set designed by Hans Hopfer and edited by Missoni for Roche Bobois, is called the "Mah Jong" sectional sofa. Includ...
Fabric
Sold
H 21 in W 39 in D 39 in
Large 'Mah Jong' Sectional Sofa Set by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, Signed
By Missoni, Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This large 'Mah Jong' modular seating system designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois includes twelve (12) elements in total, comprised of 8 square seat cushions and 4 straight seat backs. Signed with Roche Bobois labels and repeat fabric. The condition is exemplary and looks to have been barely used as it is in near-new condition. One of the fun parts of this design is that you can easily mix and match the cushions and seat backs and create a customized room which you can change as frequently as your heart desires... you can create small and large sofas, loveseats, lounge chairs and ottomans using...
Fabric
Sold
H 21 in W 39 in D 39 in
Mah Jong by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois in Kenzo Takada Fabric, 2010s, Signed
By Missoni, Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredible modular seating system designed by Hans Hopfer and edited by Kenzo Takada for Roche Bobois, is called the "Mah Jong" system. This particular configuration is ideal as a cozy corner couch ideal for cuddling and entertainment. Included in this set are six (6) elements in total which include 2 square seat cushions, 2 straight seat backs, 1 panoramic seat cushion and 1 panoramic seat back. Signed with Roche Bobois / Kenzo Takada label and repeat fabric. One of the fun parts of this design is that you can easily mix and match the cushions and seat backs and create a customized room which you can change as frequently as your heart desires... with more elements you can create small and large sofas, loveseats, lounge chairs and ottomans using...
Fabric
Sold
H 8.27 in W 38.19 in D 38.19 in
Mah Jong' 11 Piece Living Room Set by Missoni for Roche Bobois France
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer, Missoni
Located in Gardena, CA
1971 : HANS HOPFER IMAGINES THE MAH JONG Painter, sculptor and designer… Hans Hopfer has designed several sofas that have become iconic pieces in Roche Bobois collections. In 1971,...
Fabric, Velvet
Sold
H 27.75 in W 40 in D 40 in
'Mah Jong' 15 Piece Living Room Set by Missoni for Roche Bobois France, Signed
By Missoni, Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredibly large living room set designed by Hans Hopfer and edited by Missoni for Roche Bobois, is called the "Mah Jong" sectional sofa. Includ...
Fabric
Sold
H 8.27 in W 38.19 in D 38.19 in
Roche Bobois by Hans Hopfer Mah Jong Missoni Home Sectional Sofa, Set of 13
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer, Missoni
Located in Basildon, London
Originally designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois in 1971, the Mah Jong sofa has become a design classic. Since its original conception, Roche Bobois has collaborated with a va...
Fabric, Velvet
Sold
H 27.75 in W 40 in D 40 in
'Mah Jong' 20 Piece Living Room Set by Missoni for Roche Bobois France, Signed
By Hans Hopfer, Missoni, Roche Bobois
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredibly large living room set designed by Hans Hopfer and edited by Missoni for Roche Bobois, is called the "Mah Jong" sectional sofa. Includ...
Fabric
Sold
H 20.87 in W 37.8 in L 20.87 in
Roche Bobois by Hans Hopfer Mah Jong Missoni Home Sectional Sofa, Set of 5
By Missoni, Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois
Located in Basildon, London
Originally designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois in 1971, the Mah Jong sofa has become a design classic. Since its original conception, Roche Bobois has collaborated with a va...
Fabric, Velvet