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
$495
H 16 in W 20 in D 0.75 in
Abstract Geometric Composition with Paper, Fibers, and Acrylic on Canvas (Green)
Located in Soquel, CA
Abstract Geometric Composition with Handmade Paper, Fibers and Acrylic on Canvas Whimsical abstract composition by an unknown artist (20th Century). Lime green acrylic paint makes u...
Jute, Acrylic, Washi Paper
$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
$1,495
H 36 in W 36 in
Contemporary Yellow, Brown, and Tan Geometric Hard-Edge Abstract Painting
By Stephanie Beukers
Located in Houston, TX
Geometric abstract painting by contemporary artist Stephanie Beukers. The work features layers of hard-edged shapes in yellow, brown, black, and tan set against a light background. S...
Canvas, Acrylic
$7,500
H 49.5 in W 53.5 in D 2 in
Go Figure, No. 17: Pink and White Abstract Geometric Oil Painting on Linen
By Deb Lawrence
Located in Hudson, NY
Go Figure, No. 17, 2026 (Pink and White Abstract Geometric Oil Painting on Antique French Linen floated in Shadow box frame without glass) oil and oil stick on antique linen 42 x 47....
Linen, Oil
$7,000
H 66 in W 116 in D 0.1 in
Las Máscaras V and VI. From Las Mascaras (The masks) Series
By Juan Carlos Amador 1
Located in Miami Beach, FL
This series draws inspiration from Hatillo’s Fiesta de los Santos Inocentes, translating the festival’s vibrant movement and collective energy into a refined abstract vocabulary. Thr...
Canvas, Spray Paint, Acrylic
$880
H 50.4 in W 43.3 in
Colorful Turquoise Patchwork Indoor Window Textile Art, 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
$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
$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
$836
H 28.75 in W 28.55 in D 1.19 in
Abstract Geometric Mixed Media Painting, Acrylic on Canvas, 1980s
Located in Cotignac, FR
Abstract geometric mixed media painting probably dating from the 1980s. The painting has been created using various mediums to create an interesting texture and form to the rough ca...
Fabric, Canvas, Organic Material, Acrylic
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
$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
$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
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