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
$4,800
H 24 in W 24 in
'Untitled' Abstract Geometric Wall Piece Wood/Paint/Textile Black, White, Grays
By Jean Feinberg
Located in Wellesley, MA
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS OF THIS WORK WILL BE SENT UPON REQUEST. NOTE COLOR OF WOOD IS NOT QUITE AS YELLOW AS IIT APPEARS IN PHOTO AND IS IN KEEPING WITH OTHERS IN THIS SERIES: Jean Fein...
Gesso, Oil, Wood Panel, Muslin
$2,800
H 48 in W 48 in D 1.5 in
Contemporary Green, Teal, Tan, & Black 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 green, white, tan, and black set against a light background. Si...
Canvas, Acrylic
$679
H 16.34 in W 12.41 in D 1.97 in
12 Cybercollage (M1). Colourful abstract geometric painting.
By Juan Pita
Located in Segovia, ES
12 Cybercollage (M81. Colourful abstract geometric painting Mixed media on canvas, on wood panel, 2019. Dimensions in cm.: 41.5 x 31.5 x 5 cm. (Without frame 40x30x2 cm.) In inches: 16.34" x 12.4" x 1.97" . Simplicity, geometric shapes and pure lines. The strong colors and textures give solidity to this work of art by Spanish artist Juan Pita...
Mixed Media, Wood Panel, Canvas
$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
$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
$509
H 11.82 in W 7.88 in D 1.58 in
4 Cybergraph Enredo (S2). Colourful abstract geometric painting.
By Juan Pita
Located in Segovia, ES
4 Cybergraph Enredo (S2). Colourful abstract geometric painting Mixed media and Acrylic Paint on panel, 2025. Dimensions in cm.: 30 x 20 x 4 cm. In inches: 11.8" x 7.87" x 1.57" . ...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Wood Panel, Acrylic, Panel
$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
$2,800
H 29 in Dm 29 in
Bloom, No. 7: Colorful Abstract Round Tondo Painting on Canvas in Teal & Purple
By Deb Lawrence
Located in Hudson, NY
Bloom, No. 7, 2026 (Contemporary colorful round tondo painted in oil on canvas) acrylic and marble dust on collaged repurposed canvas on panel 29 in. diameter Colorful pinwheel tond...
Linen, Oil
$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
$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
$2,594
H 47.25 in W 39.38 in
Acrylic Spray Paint and Marker on Canvas by Prominent Urban Artist - "Journey"
By Ettoja
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
$720
H 37.8 in W 37.8 in
Copernican Revolution, Astronomy Style Patchwork, Blue Tones Geometric Shapes
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