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 Extra-Wide Multicolor Couture By-Pass Bangle Bracelet 2014 Collection
By Missoni
Located in Atlanta, GA
Missoni, Italy, created this gorgeous couture bracelet bangle for its ready-to-wear spring 2014 runway collection. The rare piece boasts an asymmetric, oversized shape built with a r...
Missoni Italy Gilded Metal Chain Link Bracelet with Enamel Dangling Charms
By Missoni
Located in Atlanta, GA
A bold and whimsical statement piece from Missoni, Italy, this exceptional link bracelet showcases the brand's signature flair for vibrant design and artistic detail. The wide, weigh...
Enamel, Gilt Metal
Missoni Extra-Wide Multicolor By-Pass Couture Bangle Bracelet 2014 Collection
By Missoni
Located in Atlanta, GA
Missoni, Italy, created this superb couture bracelet bangle for its ready-to-wear spring 2014 runway show. The rare piece boasts an asymmetric oversized shape built with soft plastic rubber-like material in a wrapped-around shape. The transparent soft plastic band has black chevron fabric embedded inside the material along with hot pink, lavender, and purple paint gel inclusions. The engraved Missoni logo brand is on the side. About the spring 2014 collection, Vogue said: "With the explosive crash of waves on rocks...
Missoni Set of Silvered Zig-Zag Bangle Bracelet with Multicolor Enamel
By Missoni
Located in Atlanta, GA
These stunning Missoni, Italy bracelet bangles feature a zig-zag shape with enamel decor. The silvered metal framing is ornate with multicolor enamel, similar to the brand's iconic s...
Enamel
Missoni Bi-Color Bracelet Bangle 2014 Runway Collection
By Missoni
Located in Atlanta, GA
Make a bold statement with this exceptional Missoni couture bracelet, designed for the brand's ready-to-wear Spring 2014 runway show. A rare and striking piece, it showcases an asymm...
Missoni Set of Black Resin Bangle Bracelet with Bi-Color Polka Dots
By Missoni
Located in Atlanta, GA
These stunning Missoni, Italy acrylic lucite bracelet bangles feature a carved, waved shape with a discreet opening on the side. The rare pieces were designed by Missoni in Italy in ...
Missoni Italy Gilded Metal Chain Link Bracelet with Enamel Dangling Charms
By Missoni
Located in Atlanta, GA
A bold and whimsical statement piece from Missoni, Italy, this exceptional link bracelet showcases the brand's signature flair for vibrant design and artistic detail. The wide, weigh...
Enamel, Gilt Metal
Vintage Cartier 7 Bands Bangles Trinity Rolling Tricolor Gold Bracelet
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Tri-Color Gold Trinity Rolling Seven Bangles Bracelet by Cartier. The Vintage Cartier Trinity Bangle Bracelet features seven interlocking bands of 18k gold in yellow, white, and ...
Gold
Art Deco 1.60ct Diamond and Onyx bracelet, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
Classically Art Deco in its styling, this beautiful bracelet dates to the 1920s. Hand crafted in platinum, the bracelet features a collection of deep black onyx and sparkling white d...
Diamond, Onyx, Platinum
$33,800
W 1.5 in L 9.4 in
Chaumet Paris Retro Ruby and Diamond Wide Bracelet with Brooch Clip in 18K Gold
By Chaumet
Located in Dallas, TX
Dazzling Chaumet Paris retro bracelet of jarretière (belt and buckle) design featuring rubies and glittering diamonds set in 18 karat yellow gold. The bracelet incorporates iconic ‘b...
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Panthere De Cartier Panther Diamond Tsavorite Onyx Yellow Gold Bracelet
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Panthere De Cartier Panther Diamond Tsavorite Onyx Bracelet by Cartier. With 38 Round brilliant cut diamonds VVS1 clarity E color total weight approximately .26ct 2 ...
Diamond, Onyx, Tsavorite, Yellow Gold
Hermes H Open Rose Gold Cuff Bangle Bracelet
By Hermès
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Rose Gold H Open Cuff Bangle Bracelet by Hermes. This bracelet is size ST Length: 6.46" Details: Weight: 21.7 grams Width: 11mm Stamped Hallmarks: HERMES 750...
Rose Gold
Vintage Tiffany & Co Diamond Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Southampton, PA
Vintage Tiffany & Co. 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Bangle Bracelet. With 16 brilliant round cut diamond VS1 clarity, E color total weight approximately 1.12ct Details: Length: 6.5" Widt...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
David Yurman Albion Diamond Lemon Citrine Yellow Gold Link Bracelet
By David Yurman
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Lemon Citrine Link Albion Bracelet by David Yurman. The David Yurman Albion 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Lemon Citrine Link Bracelet is a luxurious piece featuring...
Citrine, Diamond, Yellow Gold
Cartier Trinity Rolling Large Model Tricolor Gold Medium Size Bangle Bracelet
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Tricolor Gold Diamond Large Model Medium Size Trinity Bangle Bracelet by Cartier. Details: Length: 6.5" Each Bangle Width: 9mm Size: Medium or 6.5" Weight: 85.6 grams Stamped Ha...
Gold
Cartier Star Diamond Ruby Emerald Sapphire Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Sapphire Emerald Ruby Bangle Bracelet by Cartier. With round brilliant cut diamonds VVS1 clarity, F-H color Round rubies, emeralds and sapphires This bracelet...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
Cartier Love All Diamond and Ceramic White Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
18k White Gold Diamond "LOVE" Bangle Bracelet by Cartier. SIZE 18. This bracelet comes with Cartier box & service paper from Cartier store in NYC. Retail Price: $49,800 plus tax. Wi...
Diamond, White Gold
Tiffany & Co Diamond T1 Wide Hinged Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond T1 Wide Hinged Bangle Bracelet by Tiffany & Co. With Round Brilliant Diamonds - 3.84ct This bracelet is currently unavailable. The retail price is $39,00...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Cameo Slide Charm Bracelet
Located in Boston, MA
A stunning example of vintage artistry, this 14K yellow gold bracelet exudes Old World charm and elegance. Crafted meticulously with 12 exquisite cameo slides, each cameo is a miniature work of art carved from mixed color shells. The cameos depict finely sculpted feminine profiles in raised relief against variegated shell backgrounds of cream, peach, and warm earth tones. Golden bead dividers punctuate the spaces between each cameo slide, adding a touch of luminous texture. The bracelet's substantial 14K gold frame measures 6 1/2 inches in length and just under 3/8 of an inch wide, making it a weighty and substantial piece of jewelry. With a total weight of 27.04 grams, it has a pleasant heft on the wrist. This cameo slide charm bracelet...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Missoni Multi-Strand Multicolor Cuff Bracelet
By Missoni
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is an exceptional Missoni bangle bracelet, designed by the renowned fashion house. A rare and striking piece, it showcases a cuff shape with a multi-layer design that seamlessly...
Sold
W 0.32 in Dm 2.84 in L 8.9 in
Missoni Italy Gilded Metal Bangle Bracelet with Enamel Dangling Charms
By Missoni
Located in Atlanta, GA
This romantic Missoni, Italy bangle bracelet features a trio of gilded metal thin band bangles ornated with floral dangling charms. The dangle elements are a huge and small flower, c...
Enamel, Gilt Metal
Sold
W 0.25 in Dm 2.75 in
Missoni Italy Gilded Metal Bangle Bracelet with Green and Purple Enamel Charms
By Missoni
Located in Atlanta, GA
Missoni, Italy, designed this romantic bangle bracelet with dangling charms. The piece features a trio of gilded metal thin band bangles ornated with floral dangle elements. The dang...
Enamel, Gilt Metal
Missoni Multi-Color Brown, Black and White Bangle Bracelet
By Missoni
Located in Amman, JO
Missoni Multi-color brown, black and white, bangle bracelet. Additional information: Overall Condition: New
Silver
Sold
W 0.79 in Dm 2.6 in L 8.16 in
Missoni Italy Massive Flying Saucer Wood Bracelet with Maroon Enamel
By Missoni
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning Missoni, Italy, ethnic-inspired wooden bracelet. A massive flying saucer shape bracelet made of tropical wood with maroon enamel paint appli...
Enamel
Sold
W 0.79 in Dm 2.56 in L 8.04 in
Missoni Italy Massive Flying Saucer Wood Bracelet with Turquoise Enamel
By Missoni
Located in Atlanta, GA
A lovely Missoni, Italy, ethnic-inspired wooden bracelet. A massive flying saucer shape bracelet made of tropical wood with turquoise blue enamel p...
Enamel
Sold
W 2.37 in Dm 2.56 in
Missoni Italy 1980 Green Resin Cuff Bracelet with Multicolor Iconic Smiling Face
By Missoni
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare iconic Missoni, Italy cuff bracelet. This 1980s couture Italian designer, Rosita Missoni bracelet is adorned with a multi-color iconic smiling face. Emerald green resin background with the hand-enameled multicolor smiling face. No visible signature. Comes with its original branded gift dust bag. The Missoni smiling face design is displayed on plastic jewelry...
MISSONI Cuff in Black Resin With African Mask
By Missoni
Located in Paris, FR
Pretty Missoni cuff, in black resin, with African mask. It is in good condition (2 pearls are missing). Possibility to return the jewel to the mark for repair. The ears are adorne...
Base Metal