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 Black and Red Polka Dots Lucite Clip Earrings
By Missoni
Located in Atlanta, GA
These stunning 1980s Missoni, Italy, oversized Lucite or Resin clip-on earrings feature a hand-made, domed, rounded shape with red polka dots applied over a black background. Each ea...
Missoni Spiral Lucite Earrings
By Missoni
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Add some color to your look with our 1980s Missoni Clip On Earrings! Crafted from purple lucite spirals, these earrings are decorated with mul...
Chanel Ruby Pate de Verre and Faux Pearl Earrings
By Chanel
Located in Riverdale, NY
Especially attractive when viewed from the side, these period Chanel earrings combine her love of pearls with the rawness of faux rubies. A row of gilt filigreed caps surrounds ...
Bronze
Chanel Red Gripoix Gold Clip Earrings With Original Box.
By Chanel
Located in Buchanan, MI
Chanel red poured glass, gripoix, and gold cc metal clip on earrings. They come with original box. Stones have internal inclusions to appear to be natural stones.
Cartier Mid Century Gold and Lapis large Earrings
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1960s Cartier 18k Yellow Gold Earrings, measuring 7/8 x 7/8 inch and centrally set with a domed Cabochon Lapis Lazuli, nice solid construction with a weight of 20.9 Grams. One ...
Lapis Lazuli
$2,995
H 1.75 in W 1.25 in
John Galliano for Christian Dior SS 2004 Lucite and Swarovski Crystal Earclips
By John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful rare John Galliano for Christian Dior Lucite and Swarovski Crystal Earclips designed by Victoire de Castellane. Wonderful juxtaposition of a regal ruby lucite inset with ...
Gilt Metal, Silver Plate
1990s Yves Saint Laurent Gold and Emerald Crystal Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in London, GB
These late 1980s to 1990s Yves Saint Laurent earrings are made from a gold-tone base metal and crafted to a curved half-hoop shape with careful engraved detailing. They are each set ...
$8,900 / set
W 1.07 in L 1.25 in
Bernard Weber 59TCW Palmeria Citrine 14K Yellow Gold Diamond Statement Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Striking, dramatic, rare Bernard Weber 59TCW Palmeria citrine, diamond, 14K yellow gold statement earrings 20th Century Provenance: Estate of a notable Palm Beach coal mining heiress...
Citrine, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
House of Schiaparelli Double iridized Leaf and Ruby Earclips
By Schiaparelli
Located in New York, NY
Schiaparelli's costume jewelery of the 1950's continued the leit motifs from her pre-war and post-war couture collections. Nature,art, ethnic culture...
Rhodium, Base Metal
Rare 1987 Chanel Runway Number “5” Hoop Earrings
By Chanel
Located in Rowland Heights, CA
A true collector’s dream from the golden age of Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel—these ultra-rare 1987 runway earrings celebrate the iconic number “5” in bold, sculptural form. Crafted in glo...
Gold Plate
Chanel Turquoise and Floral Filigree Earclips
By Chanel
Located in Riverdale, NY
Chanel classic earclips of faux turquoise pate de verre cabochons set in gilt bronze floral filigree, hand set with pastes by studio Goossens. The styl...
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Vintage Cherub Dangling Earrings
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage antiqued silver tone metal dangling earrings (clip-on) featuring a raised metal cherub head on iridescent resin, woman head profile top. Marked JPG. Indi...
Vintage Chanel Jumbo Black Leather and Gold Tone Earrings 1 13/16 inch
By Chanel
Located in Palm Beach, FL
These Vintage Chanel Jumbo Black Leather and Gold Tone earrings are for the lady who likes to make a big statement. They measure just under 1 7/8 inches in diameter. From the Chanel 29...
1950s Prong Set Rhinestone Floral Clip On Earrings
Located in London, GB
These 1950s vintage prong set clip-on earrings are fashioned in the form of a flower with the rhinestones representing the petals. Beautifully made, the petal shaped, and square-shap...
Missoni Italy Gilt Metal and Enamel Pansy Flower Clip Earrings
By Missoni
Located in Atlanta, GA
These romantic Missoni, Italy clip-on earrings feature a raised, dimensional gilded-metal frame topped with salmon-orange and toffee-brown enamel shaped into lovely pansy flowers. Ea...
Gilt Metal
Missoni Italy Orange and Blue Glitter Lucite Resin Dangle Pierced Earrings
By Missoni
Located in Atlanta, GA
Missoni, Italy, designed these stunning oversized Lucite or resin earrings for pierced ears. The pieces feature a dangling drop shape with carved daisy flowers in an asymmetric color...
Missoni Italy Gilt Metal Clip Earrings with Multicolor Iconic Smiling Face
By Missoni
Located in Atlanta, GA
These are rare iconic Missoni, Italy couture clip-on earrings. Italian designer Rosita Missoni designed this iconic pattern in the 1980s, and these earrings were part of a 2000s desi...
Gilt Metal
Missoni Italy Gilt Metal Clip Earrings with Multicolor Iconic Smiling Face
By Missoni
Located in Atlanta, GA
These are rare iconic Missoni, Italy couture clip-on earrings. Italian designer Rosita Missoni designed this iconic pattern in the 1980s, and these earrings were part of a 2000s desi...
Gilt Metal
Missoni Lucite Confetti Rhinestone Earrings, 1980s
By Missoni
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Add some sparkle to your look with our 1980s Missoni Clip On Earrings! Made of a rainbow and white confetti lucite material accented with a h...