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
$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
$2,400
H 24 in W 24 in D 4 in
Breaking Down, Contemporary Textile Art, Contemporary Art, 21st Century
By Marco Querin
Located in Mexico City, MX
Old constructs finally breaking down, 2020 Contemporary Textile Artwork Wool rowing, silk, Michigan wool, Japanese Cotton 24x24in Signed and dated
Textile, Wool, Cotton, Silk
Cherry Pom-Pom
By Gina Phillips
Located in New Orleans, LA
JONATHAN FERRARA GALLERY is proud to announce, Shape-Memory, a solo exhibition of new textile and sculptural artworks by New Orleans-based artist Gina Phillips. Initially born from h...
Wool
$10,650
H 32 in W 32 in D 2 in
Broken White Band with Pink, Contemporary Abstract Tapestry, Textile Sculpture
By Sara Brennan
Located in Wilton, CT
Broken White Band with Pink, Linen, wool, and cotton, 32" x 32" (2008). This two-tone contemporary abstract woven tapestry and textile wall sculpture is by UK-based textile artist, Sara Brennan...
Fabric, Textile, Tapestry, Wool, Cotton, Linen
"Portal to a Geode" -- Handmade Rug by Jenny Day
By Jenny Day
Located in New Orleans, LA
JENNY DAY earned an MFA in Painting and Drawing from the University of Arizona, a BFA in Painting from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and a BA in Environmental Studies from the U...
Wool, Felt
The Yarns I Have Carried #2
Located in Wilton, CT
four-selvaged weaving: leftover warp and weft yarns from the past 65 years, including handspun and manufactured material, natural and synthetic dyed wool, silk, linen, cotton and ramie
Wool, Cotton, Linen, Silk
Night Pom-Pom
By Gina Phillips
Located in New Orleans, LA
JONATHAN FERRARA GALLERY is proud to announce, Shape-Memory, a solo exhibition of new textile and sculptural artworks by New Orleans-based artist Gina Phillips. Initially born from h...
Wool
Frost Pom-Pom
By Gina Phillips
Located in New Orleans, LA
JONATHAN FERRARA GALLERY is proud to announce, Shape-Memory, a solo exhibition of new textile and sculptural artworks by New Orleans-based artist Gina Phillips. Initially born from h...
Wool
Golden Hour Pom-Pom
By Gina Phillips
Located in New Orleans, LA
JONATHAN FERRARA GALLERY is proud to announce, Shape-Memory, a solo exhibition of new textile and sculptural artworks by New Orleans-based artist Gina Phillips. Initially born from h...
Wool
Spine/Bit
By Gina Phillips
Located in New Orleans, LA
GINA PHILLIPS is a mixed media, narrative artist who grew up in Kentucky and has lived in New Orleans since 1995. The imagery, stories and characters of both regions influence her wo...
Wool, Thread, Acrylic
Solar Midnight Pom-Pom
By Gina Phillips
Located in New Orleans, LA
JONATHAN FERRARA GALLERY is proud to announce, Shape-Memory, a solo exhibition of new textile and sculptural artworks by New Orleans-based artist Gina Phillips. Initially born from h...
Wool
$10,458
H 0.79 in W 68.9 in D 82.68 in
“Epiphyte” Rug by Leo Rydell, Handcrafted in Nepal, Tibetan Wool, Unique Piece
Located in Madrid, MD
Unique rug from the Dawn Epiphyte series designed by artist Leo Rydell. Handcrafted in Nepal using 100% high-quality Tibetan wool, this piece stands out for its sculptural presence a...
Wool
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