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
Paloma Picasso for Tiffany & Co. 18k Yellow Gold & Silver Links Bracelet
By Paloma Picasso for Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Paloma Picasso for Tiffany & Co. 18k Yellow Gold & Silver Links Bracelet Composed of concave circular links, one side is made of 18 karat yellow gold and the other is made of silver...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Greek Emerald Diamond Ruby Gold Ram's Head Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Impressive Greek made 18k gold bracelet, featuring two ram's heads, adorned with emerald cabochon, ruby eyes and approx. 0.30ctw H/Si diamonds. Bracelet will fit an average size wris...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold
Jean Després Hammered Silver Bracelet
By Jean Despres
Located in New York, NY
Jean Després hammered silver bracelet, circa 1940s Art deco design of hammered silver links; French Size: width 1.44 inches, length 8 inches Total weight: 144.7 grams
Silver
French Retro 1940s Gold Wide Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Retro , circa 1940s French made wide bracelet, crafted in 18k yellow gold. Bracelet is 7.5" long and 1.25" wide. With French eagle head mark on the clasp tongue. Weight - 134.6 grams.
Gold
18 Karat Yellow and White Gold Link Bracelet, Italy Circa 1965
Located in New York, NY
This architectural and feminine 18-karat yellow and white gold link bracelet is by Annaratone & Magyary, Valenza jewelers between the 1940s and the ...
18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Diamond Parentesi Style Gold Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
18k gold Parentesi style bracelet, set with approx. 3.00ctw in diamonds. Bracelet will fit approx. 7" wrist and is 5/8" wide. Marked with a 750 and Ita...
Diamond, Gold
Tiffany & Co Wide Rolo Link Bracelet in 14K Yellow Gold
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
The bracelet is 13mm wide, 7.25 inches in length, made of 14K yellow gold, and weighs 43.1 DWT (approx. 67.03 grams).
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$6,000
Diamond Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Designed as square links of baguette and round brilliant-cut diamonds 18k white gold 7 ins; Gross weight 28.6 g 18.4 dwts
Diamond
Ming's Hawaii White Jade and Hawaiian Quilt Design 14 Karat Yellow Gold Bracelet
Located in Honolulu, HI
Beautiful vintage Ming's Hawaii white jade sectional bracelet in 14k yellow gold. The Bracelet features 5 cabochon navette shape white jade pieces seperated by a square link with a raised hawaiian quilt...
Jade, 14k Gold
1960s Diamond Gold Link Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Chunky circa 1960s 18k gold bracelet with approximately 0.90ctw in diamonds. Bracelet is 8.75" long and 25mm wide. Weight - 105 grams.
Diamond, Gold
Antique Victorian Cameo Pearl Gold Multi Row Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Antique Victorian 14k gold 4 row bracelet, featuring two hardstone cameo stations, depicting a lady's profile, surrounded with pearls. Bracelet is 7" lo...
Pearl, Gold
Art Deco 1930s Emerald and Diamond Platinum Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
1930s Art Deco platinum bracelet, decorated with vibrant emeralds and approximately 11 carats in I/SI diamonds. Bracelet is 7 1/8" long and 5/8" wide. Bracelet has a scratched on num...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Ming's Hawaii Phoenix Sectional Rectangle Bracelet 14K Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Specifications: Designer: Ming's Hawaii Metal: 14k Yellow Gold Total Weight: 15.0 Grams Bracelet Circumference: ~5.75" Inner Diameter: ~1.85" Bracelet Height: 9 mm Stamped: "M...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$18,000 / set
W 1.25 in D 0.2 in L 6.75 in
Gerald Benney Rare Aquamarine and 18K Gold Bracelet, Earring Demi-Parure, 1964
By Gerald Benney
Located in New York, NY
This collectible, handmade 18 karat yellow gold with aquamarines demi- parure was made by Gerald Benney in the U.K. in 1964. Comprising ear pendants and a matching bracelet, it is a ...
Aquamarine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Charriol Two Tone Cable Bar Link Bracelet in 18k Yellow Gold and Stainless Steel
By Charriol
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specification: Brand: Charriol Type: Cable Bracelet Weight: 29.5 grams Bracelet Width: 8.1 mm Size: 7.25" Metal: 18K Yellow Gold and Stainless Steel Stamped: "750" Cond...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel, Steel