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.
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
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
I'm doing a poor job with life at this moment
Located in Denver, CO
Mychaelyn Michalec is a textile artist and painter working in Dayton, OH. Her work depicts the private, awkward, and mundane moments of family life through a medium traditionally ass...
Wool, Yarn, ABS
$6,000
H 48 in W 48 in D 4 in
Promised Land, Contemporary Textile Art, Contemporary Art, 21st Century
By Marco Querin
Located in Mexico City, MX
From the series Observing Multiculturalism - Despite having already settled in his promised land, anxiety still rules all his thoughts, 2019 Contemporary Textile Artwork Minimalist, neutral colors Raw Mexican wool...
Textile, Wool, PVC
$1,625
H 60 in W 60 in
"DALL·E 2023-04-23 11.32.04" Artist-Tufted Rug with Geometric Design
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This piece titled "DALL·E 2023-04-23 11.32.04" is an original artwork by Tuft the World and is made tufted 100% New Zealand wool. It can be displayed as a floor rug or can be hung on...
Wool
$1,700
H 35 in W 31 in
Dynamic Tension 3 - Original Geometric Contemporary Abstract Painting
By Heny Steinberg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mexican artist Heny Steinberg’s mid-century modern inspired abstract artworks invite us to travel from the map to the localized event. She is suggesting that the spatial memory guid...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$2,800
H 48 in W 48 in D 1.5 in
Contemporary Green, Teal, Tan, & Black Geometric Hard-Edge Abstract Painting
Located in Houston, TX
Geometric abstract painting by contemporary artist Stephanie Beukers. The work features layers of hard-edged shapes in green, white, tan, and black set against a light background. Si...
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,300
H 43 in W 66 in
"DALL·E 2023-04-23 11.28.28" Unique shape tufted rug with abstract pattern
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This piece titled "DALL·E 2023-04-23 11.28.28" is a crafted original piece by Tuft the World as part of the inaugural collection of TTW Editions. This piece measures 43"h x 66"w and ...
Wool
$750
H 31 in W 24 in D 0.1 in
Untitled 2 . From Ritmos abstractos (Abstract Rhythms) Series
Located in Miami Beach, FL
"Abstract Rhythms" invites us to explore the visual universe of the artist Juan Carlos Amador, who, through his unique perspective, translates the pulsations of space and the invisi...
Canvas, Spray Paint, Acrylic
$1,625
H 60 in W 59 in
"DALL·E 2023-05-29 21.08.13" Whimsical Abstract Wool Rug/Tapestry
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This piece titled "DALL·E 2023-05-29 21.08.13" is an original artwork by Tuft the World and is made tufted 100% New Zealand wool, and part of the inaugural launch of TTW Editions. Th...
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
$292
H 36 in W 18 in
"MJ-b61a71b56ed1" Striped Hanging Tufted Tapestry, 21st Century Design
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This piece titled "MJ-b61a71b56ed1" is a crafted original piece by Tuft the World as part of the inaugural collection of TTW Editions. This piece measur...
Wool
$9,500
H 25.75 in W 55 in D 1.25 in
Summer Holiday, Abstract Geometric Acrylic and Canvas Collage, Red White Blue
By Margo Hoff
Located in Denver, CO
Acrylic and canvas collage on canvas by 20th century artist Margo Hoff (1910-2008). An abstract geometric painting in Margo's signature style of canvas collage, laying bits of canva...
Canvas, Acrylic
$600
H 12 in W 19 in D 0.1 in
Untitled 8. From Ritmos abstractos (Abstract Rhythms) Series
Located in Miami Beach, FL
"Ritmos Abstratos" invites us to explore the visual universe of the artist Juan Carlos Amador, who, through his unique perspective, translates the pulsations of space and the invisi...
Canvas, Oil
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