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.” By then, Ottavio had been creating tapestries, and some of his knitted fabrics were shown in an exhibition at Galleria Il Naviglio in Venice in 1975.
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 Ottavio Missoni tapestries, rugs and other furniture today on 1stDibs.
Large Ottavio Missoni Wool Tapestry Wall Hanging
By Ottavio Missoni
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Ottavio Missoni, Italian (1921 - 2013) Title: #2 Year: circa 1980's Medium: Woolen Tapestry mounted to support board for hanging Size: 46 in. x 92 in. (116.84 cm x 233.68 cm)
Wool
$27,000
H 60 in W 60 in D 2 in
"Orange Colors" by Rehfeld - Large Abstract Geometric in Orange and Yellow
By Steven H. Rehfeld
Located in Carmel, CA
Steven H. Rehfeld (American, born 1954) "Orange Colors" 2018 Oil paint, Paper, Glue, Canvas, Stretcher bars The artist signed the back of the painting. In "Orange Colors," Rehfeld o...
Canvas, Oil, Paper, Glue, Stretcher Bars
$21,700
H 63 in W 38 in D 0.75 in
"Framed & Draped: Material Collection" Lia Cook, Contemporary Wall Textile
By Lia Cook
Located in Wilton, CT
"Framed and Draped: Material Collection", acrylic on abaca, dyes on rayon; woven, 63" x 38", 1989. This contemporary abstract mixed media tapestry was done by California-based Ameri...
Fabric, Tapestry, Thread, Dye, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$400
H 16 in W 16.1 in D 1.4 in
"Moment #29", Mixed Media Artwork, Abstract Geometric, Hand Embellished
By Monty Montgomery
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a mixed-media artwork by Monty Montgomery. Its dimensions are 16 x 16.1 x 1.4 and it is Hand Embellished Giclee print on Canvas with UV Gloss Varnish. A certificate of authen...
Canvas, Varnish, Giclée
$9,200
H 57.75 in W 6.25 in
GEOMETRIC ABSTRACT 1969 “Twin Planes” Screenprint on Canvas
By Kenneth Noland
Located in New York, NY
Kenneth Noland "Twin Planes" USA, 1969 Screenprint on canvas laminated to board From an edition of 200 6.25"H 58.75"W (artwork) Original Period frame Overall good condition 'Twin ...
Lithograph, Canvas, Screen
Multimedia Nature Collage on Canvas
By Nancy Pantirer
Located in New York, NY
Nancy Pantirer Untitled Mixed Media on Canvas 50 x 47 in Nancy Pantirer incorporates abstract expressionism and collage into her canvases, letting the properties of paint and paper ...
Canvas, Acrylic, Laid Paper
$1,500
H 20.5 in W 54 in D 0.1 in
Untitled Whitney Museum Scarf Color Field Geometric Abstraction Limited Edition
By Kenneth Noland
Located in New York, NY
Kenneth Noland Untitled Whitney Museum Limited Edition Silk Scarf, 1999 Artist designed scarf in colors on 100% Silk in original Whitney Museum packaging with artist's printed name a...
Silk, Screen
$880
H 41.5 in W 34.2 in
Quiet Room from Above, Bauhaus Geometric Interior, Nude Tones Patchwork, 2024
By Zita Chocarro
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is a beautiful patchwork piece by Zita Chocarro. Her exploration of color plays with form and contrast, as the intersection of the shapes she uses masterfully come together to ...
Fabric
$7,000
H 31 in W 31 in D 1 in
Color Circle and Star, Marker on fabric print Hand signed (ed of only 20) Framed
By Polly Apfelbaum
Located in New York, NY
Polly Apfelbaum Color Circle and Star, 2004 Fabric Marker and Fabric Dye on Velvet Cotton Signed and dated in ink by the artist on the front with artist's inkstamp. Frame Included Si...
Fabric, Dye, Ink, Mixed Media, Permanent Marker
$415
H 11.82 in W 11.82 in D 0.67 in
Old Black Schoolboard Minimalist Small painting 30x30cm by Anastasia Vasilyeva
By Anastasia Vasilyeva
Located in Zofingen, AG
Monochrome abstract conceptual artwork uses the principle of color field painting. 30x30x1,7cm, Ready to hang and signed on the backside. Shipping worldwide in a safe package with ...
Gesso, Canvas, Acrylic, Engraving
RD013-17
By Steven Kinder
Located in Fairfield, CT
Represented by George Billis Gallery, NY & LA -- Steven Kinder talks a lot about energy, form and movement and getting at the essence of something. Getting to the middle of it....
Canvas, Mixed Media
RD011-17
By Steven Kinder
Located in Fairfield, CT
Steven Kinder talks a lot about energy, form and movement and getting at the essence of something. Getting to the middle of it. He wants his work to call out in some way. He is inspi...
Canvas, Mixed Media
RD001-17
By Steven Kinder
Located in Fairfield, CT
Represented by George Billis Gallery, NY & LA -- Steven Kinder talks a lot about energy, form and movement and getting at the essence of something. Getting to the middle of it. H...
Canvas, Mixed Media
Number 1, Large Woolen Tapestry Wall Art by Missoni
By Ottavio Missoni
Located in Long Island City, NY
A woolen tapestry by Missoni circa 1980. Artist: Ottavio Missoni, Italian (1921 - 2013) Title: #1 Year: circa 1980's Medium: Woolen Tapestry Size: 67 ...
Wool
Sold
H 28.5 in W 60.5 in
Number 3 - Rectangles, Geometric Tapestry Wall Hanging by Ottavio Missoni
By Ottavio Missoni
Located in Long Island City, NY
A woolen tapestry by Missoni circa 1980. Artist: Ottavio Missoni, Italian (1921 - 2013) Title: #3 Year: circa 1980's Medium: Woolen Tapestry Size: 21 in. x 53 in. (53.34 cm x 1...
Wool