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 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 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
22 Karat Gold Handmade Link Bracelet with Brilliant Cut Diamond Charms
By Malcolm Betts
Located in London, GB
22ct gold hand made link bracelet set with brilliant cut diamond charms Handmade in Notting Hill London by renowned British jeweller Malcolm Betts. 1.10cts approximate total diamon...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Platinum
$43,640 / item
W 0.24 in L 6.89 in
Alex Sepkus "Tiny" Link Bracelet with Brilliant White Diamonds in Gold
By Alex Sepkus
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From the studio of Alex Sepkus in New York - 18 karat yellow gold "Tiny" link bracelet. Specializing in microscopic sculpting and carving, Alex Šepkus has the ability to press perfec...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Micromosaic Bracelet, First Half of the 19th Century Work
Located in Paris, FR
Gold bracelet with six oval, micromosaic medallions set in black glass. Each micromosaic represents a different Roman edifice: Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Coliseum, the Pantheon, the...
Gold
$2,680 / item
Rock Candy Rainbow Bracelet
By Jennifer House
Located in Chertsey, GB
Indulge your senses with the mesmerizing swirls of rock candy brought to life in a bracelet that is almost good enough to eat! Prepare to adorn your wrist w...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
22 Karat Gold Hammered Link Bracelet with Platinum Set Old Cut Diamond 0.72cts
By Malcolm Betts
Located in London, GB
22ct gold hammered handmade link bracelet with platinum set old cut diamond 0.72cts- Handmade in Notting Hill London by British jeweller Malcolm Betts. The individual beauty and lon...
White Diamond, 22k Gold, Platinum
Hermes Kelly Diamond Bracelet Small Model 18k White Gold SH
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a chic and instantly recognizable Hermes Kelly Bracelet Small Model. 18k White Gold bracelet set with 61 diamonds. Total carat ...
Diamond, White Gold
Gold and Enamel Bracelet, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Gold and enamel bracelet. The bracelet is composed of nine symmetrical medallions decorated with foliage and stylized flowers and accented with black and white enamel. The clasp is hidden by a rectangular medallion in enameled gold that features a landscape scene of a lakeside chateau with mountains in the background. The medallion is framed with stylized leaves in black, white, and green enamel. The landscape of the bracelet portrays the Chillon chateau in Switzerland, made famous during the Romantic period with Lord Byron’s poem written in 1816, The Prisoner of Chillon. Byron, during a voyage through Switzerland, was inspired by Jean Jacques Rousseau...
Gold, Enamel
22 Karat Gold and Platinum Link Bracelet Set with Brilliant Cut Diamond 0.84cts
By Malcolm Betts
Located in London, GB
22ct gold and platinum link bracelet with platinum set brilliant cut diamond 0.84cts handmade in Notting Hill London by renowned British jewellery designer Malcolm Betts Chunky hamme...
Diamond, Gold, Platinum
Antique Carré-Cut Amethyst and Silver and Diamond Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
5 passionate carré-cut amethysts of intense color and brilliance weighing approximately 14 carats mounted in an antique "Belle Époch" silver link bracelet with 80 single-cut diamonds...
Amethyst, Diamond, Silver
18 Karat Gold Two-Tone Retro Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
This highly polished retro 18K gold bracelet features yellow and rose gold links in a weave pattern. The substantial bracelet makes a striking statement in gold.
18k Gold
Gold and Enamel Miniature Bracelet, Bost, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
The strap of woven gold with stylized patterns arranged alternately and decorated at the ends with oval medallion surrounding with blue enameled gold and a hinged openwork cover to p...
Gold, Enamel
Gold and Enamel Bracelet, Mid-19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Articulated bracelet in enameled gold. The bracelet is composed of six medallions, the largest of which serves as a clasp. The gold is repoussé work, accented with black and white en...
Gold, Enamel