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
$680Sale Price|20% Off
H 20 in W 16 in D 1.5 in
Fold, Contemporary Abstract Collage Painting
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Collage has always been a part of the artist's work. The idea of reusing, recontextualizing, and even resurrecting parts of the painting. From an economic standpoint the materials ar...
Canvas, Acrylic, Vinyl
$1,264Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.82 in W 11.82 in D 1.19 in
"PaperLandscape"- Abstract Geometric Landscape Painting , Art Made in Italy
By Marilina Marchica
Located in Agrigento, AG
PaperLandscape mixed media and collage on juta canvas 50x50 2017 the painting is part of the Paper Landscape series I like to call them fragile landscapes the title PaperLandscape,...
Enamel
$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
$6,000Sale Price|30% Off
H 48 in W 34 in D 3.25 in
'Surfacing II, ' by Dragana Milovic, Mixed Media Painting
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
This 48" x 34" mixed media painting, 'Surfacing II,' by Dragana Milovic features an abstracted geometric composition featuring 3d objects adhered to th...
Gold Leaf
$880
H 50.4 in W 43.3 in
Colorful Indoor Window, Turquoise Constructivist Composition, Textile Art, 2024
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
$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
$2,574
H 47.25 in W 39.38 in
Acrylic Spray Paint and Marker on Canvas by Prominent Urban Artist - "Journey"
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
“Long Journey” is a new spray paint and marker work on canvas by Ettoja, one of the most prominent illustrators and street art creators in Lithuania (Ukrainian born). This painting ...
Canvas, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic, Spray Paint, Permanent Marker
$450
H 16 in W 16.1 in D 1.4 in
"Moment #29", Mixed Media Artwork, Abstract Geometric, Hand Embellished
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
$3,394
H 49.22 in W 68.9 in D 0.79 in
Oil and Ink on Canvas - Contemporary Painting - Machinery
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
Emerging artist Urte Truskauskaite is currently studying at the Vilnius Academy of Arts. Her work explores outdated technologies—old computers, calculators, and their components—as a...
Canvas, Cotton Canvas, Ink, Oil
Abstract Geometric Mixed Media Acrylic on Canvas.
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
$880
H 41.5 in W 34.2 in
Quiet Room from Above, Bauhaus Geometric Interior, Nude Tones Patchwork, 2024
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
$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