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 Green and Pink Glitter Lucite Resin Choker Necklace
By Missoni
Located in Atlanta, GA
Missoni, Italy, designed this stunning Lucite or acrylic resin choker necklace. The piece features a heavy brass chain adorned with five carved daisy elements in an assortment of col...
Brass
$189Sale Price|25% Off
Missoni Gold Metal Choker Necklace with Brown Fringe, Italy, 2000s
By Missoni
Located in London, GB
Missoni Brown Fringe Gold Metal Choker Necklace This timeless design is crafted from enduring gold metal, showcasing a modern fringe texture. It's an effortless way to upgrade any ou...
Missoni Bi-Color Rigid Collar Necklace, Spring 2014 Collection
By Missoni
Located in Atlanta, GA
Missoni Italy created this incredible couture choker necklace for its ready-to-wear spring 2014 runway show. The piece features an asymmetric shape, built with a gunmetal rigid band,...
Missoni 18k Yellow Gold and Black Bead Statement Necklace - '80s
By Missoni
Located in Milano, Lombardia
A bold and highly recognizable Missoni necklace, defined by the maison’s unmistakable sense of rhythm, contrast, and material richness. The design combines polished black beads with ...
18k Gold
Missoni Statement Necklace in 18k Gold and Hardstones - '80s
By Missoni
Located in Milano, Lombardia
A striking vintage Missoni necklace embodying the maison’s unmistakable aesthetic of color, texture, and expressive design. This statement piece features a vibrant composition of pol...
18k Gold
MISSONI c.1980's Pink Salmon Lucite Oval Hoops Statement Necklace NOS
By Missoni
Located in Thiensville, WI
Extremely Rare - Vintage Missoni c.1980's New old stock pink salmon lucite oval hoops statement necklace. Pink salmon semi-translucent marbleized lucite like plastic. Double strand s...
Hand Carved Amethyst Flower Pendant and Amethyst Bead Necklace with Yellow Gold
By Sarosi By Timeless Gems
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This unique necklace features a beautiful floral amethyst pendant set in 18k yellow gold on a strand of pastel and royal purple amethyst beads. The flower pendant has been hand carve...
Amethyst, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,825
H 37 in W 2.5 in D 0.15 in Dm 13.5 in L 37 in
Vintage Gold Tone Long Link Necklace, Four Piece Design, Circa 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Gold Tone Vertical Long Necklace With 4 Pieces Circa 1980s. This is almost a necktie or can even be worn alone under a jacket. It is 4 separate pieces that gradually get la...
Mixed Metal
Vintage KJL Wide Diamante Mesh Belt, Circa 1960s, USA
By KJL
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Early KJL Mesh Like Diamante Wide Belt Circa 1960s. As a collector of Belts, when you find something that is a work of art, you know. I have a collection that I will post, w...
Mixed Metal
$1,192Sale Price|50% Off
W 0.24 in D 0.16 in L 16 in
Silvorra 925 Silver Bezel-Set Natural Peridot Tennis Necklace for Valentine Gift
Located in New York, NY
This elegant tennis necklace is crafted in luminous 925 sterling silver and set with 65 natural peridot gemstones, each expertly cut in a classic round shape. Measuring 5 mm each, th...
Peridot, Silver, Sterling Silver
18 Karat White Gold and Diamond Necklace with a Heart Motif on Chain
Located in Honolulu, HI
Beautiful diamond neckalce with drop heart motif in 18k white gold. This gorgeous necklace features 17 round diamonds bezel set at the center of a chain with a heart shape drop pendant pave set with 6 round diamonds. The diamond section is hinged between bezels for flexibility. A total of 24 round brilliant cut diamonds, G - H in color and SI in clarity totaling approximately 0.20 carat. The necklace is 15.50 inch long. The chain is cable link equipped wuth a lobster clasp. This gorgeous daimond necklace...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Coral, 18 Karat Yellow Gold Necklace.
Located in Napoli, Campania
Link necklace in 18 kt yellow gold struncure and coral. This necklace was totally handmade by Italian master goldsmiths and it is in perfect conditions. Coral 5.04 gr Total Weight 7 ...
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
9-11mm Tahitian Pearl Necklace with 14kt White Gold Clasp - 18 inches in Length
Located in Oslo, 03
This stunning 9-11mm Tahitian pearl necklace features 18 inches of lustrous dark grey pearls, each beautifully complemented by a 14kt white gold clasp. The pearls exhibit a high to v...
Black Pearl, White Gold
Carnelian, Turquoise, Onyx, Agate, Tourmaline, Rose Gold and Silver Necklace.
Located in Napoli, Campania
Retrò necklace mounted with spheres in 9 kt rose gold and satin silver spheres between spheres of tourmaline, onyx, green agate, turquoise and carnelian. This necklace was totally...
Agate, Carnelian, Onyx, Tourmaline, Turquoise, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Petite Pearl Gold Bead Collar Length Necklace
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Understated elegance describes this attractive 14 inch collar length beaded necklace. The strand includes quality Akoya Pearls ranging in size 3.5mm to 5.5mm are alternately hand str...
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Turquoise, Diamonds, 14 Karat White Gold Tennis Necklace
Located in Napoli, Campania
Elegant necklace in 14 kt white gold structure mounted with diamonds for all the length. Below, a flower of diamonds and , as pendant, a drop turquoise. Diamonds 3.96 ct Turquoise 1....
Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold, White Gold
Cartier Maillon Panther Diamond 3 Row Necklace in 18k White Gold
By Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Cartier Maillon Panthère diamond necklace is a striking masterpiece, featuring interlocking links adorned with brilliant diamonds. This necklace features 3 rows with approximate...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Diamonds Multicolored Sapphires Amethyst White, Light-Pink Pearls Necklace
Located in Napoli, Campania
Incredible white and light-pink pearls (8/9 mm X 10/11 mm) necklace that has white gold washer studded by bright diamonds and with a simple closure in 14K rose gold. The necklace has...
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapphire, 14k...
Missoni Italy Important Acrylic Lucite Geometric Bib Necklace
By Missoni
Located in Atlanta, GA
Missoni Italy designed this striking statement bib necklace. The link necklace features a large bib design with geometric elements in jet-black acrylic resin or Lucite. Each componen...
Missoni Gunmetal Crochet Faceted Stones Statement Necklace
By Missoni
Located in Rome, Rome
Beautiful Missoni Necklace. Gunmetal chain with big faceted artificial stones surrounded by crochet knit. Spring ring closure. Total lenght: 25 inches - 63.5 cm Condition A - EXCELLE...
Missoni Italy Multicolor Resin Charm Necklace
By Missoni
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare 1980s Haute Couture Missoni Italy dangling multicolor resin charms necklace. The large gunmetal chain is ornated with dangling charms. Each dangle element is on the gambling theme, chess pieces (rook, knight, pawn), and card colors (spade, heart, club, diamond). The choker boasts orange, purple, ruby red, and fuchsia assorted transparent colors. There is a spring-ring closing clasp. No signature is visible on the necklace, but it will be delivered with its original Missoni sequined...
Missoni Necklace
By Missoni
Located in New York, NY
French blue resin and rhinestone link necklace with 2" drop "Missoni" letters