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
$8,975
W 0.66 in L 6 in
Vintage Tiffany & Co Bracelet 51.1gm 18k Yellow Gold Triangle Fancy Link Jewelry
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish vintage Tiffany & Co bracelet crafted in 18 karat yellow gold (circa 1960s). The chunky bracelet is a Tiffany classic, with triangular twist links conjoined with smaller c...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Dainty Italian 14K Yellow Gold Bracelet Perfect for Stacking
Located in New York, NY
Add effortless Italian elegance to your wrist with this ultra-lightweight 14K yellow gold bracelet. Crafted in Italy and marked 14K, it measures 7⅛" and weighs just 0.7 dwt—light eno...
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$4,485
W 0.14 in L 3.15 in
70s Vintage Horse Bit Buckle Bracelet 14k Yellow Gold 8" Equestrian Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish vintage Equestrian themed horse bit bracelet crafted in 14 karat yellow gold (circa 1960s to 1970s). The primary horse bit links alternate with smaller belt buckle motifs, ...
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K Yellow Gold Double Link Charm Bracelet, Retro Style, USA, 7"
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This elegant 14-karat gold charm bracelet showcases a classic double-link design in radiant yellow gold. It offers a secure and comfortable fit, measuring 7 inches in length and 8mm ...
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K Yellow Gold Retro Green Tourmaline Link Bracelet, Italy, 1990s
Located in Palm Desert, CA
14 Karat Yellow Gold Green Tourmaline Link Bracelet. The bracelet features tight double domed curb links with a smooth shiny finish, only ...
Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,475
W 0.5 in L 6 in
Stylish vintage Art Deco era carved bracelet (circa 1920s to 1930s), crafted in
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish vintage Art Deco era carved bracelet (circa 1920s to 1930s), crafted in 14 karat white & yellow gold. Camphor glass is set a small estimated 0.03 carat old European cut...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White G...
14K Yellow Gold Herringbone Bracelet, Retro Design, Italy, 7.5"
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Crafted from radiant 14K yellow gold, this stunning herringbone bracelet showcases a sleek and timeless design. Measuring 7.5 inches in length and 6.5mm in width, it offers a refined...
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K Yellow Gold Diamond-Cut Cubetto Link Bracelet, Retro Style, Italy
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Elegant and contemporary, this 14 karat yellow gold Cubetto bracelet showcases a striking design composed of individual flexible gold bars, alternating between diamond-cut and smooth...
Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Fold Over White Enamel 18K Yellow Gold Chain Link Bracelet
By Valentin Magro
Located in New York, NY
18k yellow gold and white enamel join together to bring a glow for this bracelet. An intertwined pattern of flattened hexagonal strips alternate with flat discs. The hexagonal strips...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold, Enamel
$18,885
W 0.57 in L 7 in
1940s Portuguese Retro Buckle Bracelet Sapphire 19k Rose Gold 7" Fine Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish vintage retro sapphire buckle bracelet crafted in 19 karat Portuguese rose gold (circa 1940s). A great example of 1940s Retro jewelry with a bold sculptural aesthetic desig...
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, White Diamond, Diamond, Rose Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
$7,890
W 0.54 in L 7.25 in
Georgios Collections 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ruby Emerald Sapphire Diamond Bracelet
By Georgios Collections Inc
Located in Astoria, NY
S.Georgios Bracelet is handmade from solid 18 Karat Yellow Gold and is microscopically decorated with granulation - yellow gold beads and wires. Granulated details contrast with Byza...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Multi-gemstone, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sa...
Danish silversmith. Modernist silver bracelet. Sleek Danish design.
Located in bronshoj, DK
Danish silversmith. Modernist silver bracelet. Sleek Danish design. Mid-20th century. Hallmarked 830. Dimensions: Length 18.5 cm.
Silver