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.
Ottavio Missoni, four large wall lamps in murano glass and metal. Italy 1980s
By Ottavio Missoni
Located in Catania, CT
Rare set of four exclusive sconces made from thick murano glass and metal. Engraved signature on the glass by Missoni. No chips or cracks. Italy 1980s. Full working with EU standard,...
Metal
$4,518Sale Price|24% Off
Ottavio Missoni, Chandelier with Incalmo and Calcedonia Murano Glass, 1980s
By Missoni Home, Ottavio Missoni
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
This intriguing and lovely chandelier that represents the quintessential of the 1980s. That was the roaring decade of fashion houses, in particular Italians, and the Expansion beyon...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Milk Glass, Murano Glass
Ottavio Missoni Eos Hand-Blown Murano Glass Vase Table Lamp
By Ottavio Missoni
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Celebrated for its fearless use of color and avant-garde Italian design, Missoni brings its iconic aesthetic to this exceptional hand-blown Murano glass vase lamp. Crafted in the 199...
Murano Glass
Pair of Italian Blue and White Murano Glass Chandelier, 1980s
By Mazzega
Located in Rome, IT
Huge Italian vintage Murano chandelier made by 52 glass petals with a chrome frame. The glasses have two colors: 31 glass petals transparent and white “lattimo” +21 glass petals blu...
Metal
$4,306
H 15.75 in W 20.87 in D 20.87 in
Stunning 1980s Murano Glass Chandelier with Rainbow-Reflecting Discs and Delicat
Located in Palermo, PA
1980s Murano glass chandelier featuring three glass discs and delicate Murano glass flowers. The glass discs have an amazing oil finish, reflecting the colors of the rainbow. Height ...
Metal
Large Murano Glass Chandelier Italy 1980s
By Mazzega
Located in Dallas, TX
Mid-Century Modern Murano glass chandelier attributed to Mazzega, Italy, 1980s. Large Vintage translucent and textured Murano glass chandelier, with gold-plated frame, canopy and cha...
Gold Plate
$4,061 / set
H 12.6 in W 11.03 in D 6.3 in
Italian Large Pair of Murano Glass Wall Sconces by Barbini Alfredo, 1980s
By Barbini, Alfredo Barbini
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Marvelous and unique Pair of Italian Colorful Murano glass Wall Sconces from 1980s. These fixtures were designed and munufactured during the 1980s in Italy by Alfredo Barbini. “Barb...
Metal
Vistosi Orange Modernist Murano Glass Chandelier, 1980s
By Gino Vistosi
Located in Austin, TX
Chandelier from the iconic Vistosi studio on the island of Murano outside of Venice, Italy. This fixture has a brass structure with exaggerated curved canopy. From the brass structur...
Murano Glass
Murano Glass Flush Mount Chandelier 1980s
By Venini
Located in Dallas, TX
Mid-Century Modern Murano glass tear drop flush mount chandelier, Italy 1980s. In the manner of Venini. The vintage flush mount is made of a brass & ivory round ceiling plate, an...
Brass
Luxurious Red and Gold Murano Glass Chandelier 1980s
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Rome, IT
Sumptuous Murano chandelier with 24 arms and a multitude of flowers in glass paste and gold inclusion. Available also a pair and 4 pair of sconces.
Murano Glass
$9,500 / set
H 34.5 in Dm 18 in
Pair Large Hand-blown Murano / Venetian Glass Table Lamps, Barovier e Toso
By Barovier&Toso
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Elegant, Large, Italian Mid-Century Style Hand Blown Clear and Gold Murano / Venetian Glass Table Lamps in the Modern Neoclassical Style. The pieces are in the spirit of the ...
Brass
Wall lighting flower Murano glass large , Italy 1980
Located in La xara, VC
Murano Glass wall lighting or Flush Mount , Italy, Late 1980s These are Murano glass ceiling or wall lights with a white creme painted metal bracket, from the production of Murano'...
Murano Glass
Pair of Modernist Hand Blown Murano Clear Glass Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
This dramatic pair of table lamps were realized in Murano, Italy the islands off the coast of Venice that have been renowned for centuries for their superlative glass production. The...
Gold
1980s Murano Glass Chandelier with Light Green Sculptural Leaves
Located in Palermo, PA
This 1980s Murano glass chandelier captures the bold and playful spirit of the decade. It is a statement piece designed for interiors with personality and flair. The chandelier feat...
Metal
Modernist X-Form Lavender Hand Blown Murano Mercury Glass Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Hand blown in Murano, Italy, this stunning pair of mirrored mercury glass table lamps features a sculptural tapered x-form body in a rich lavender hue with nickel fittings that echo ...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 8.27 in W 1.19 in D 7.88 in
Pair of Murano glass wall sconces by Ottavio Missoni for Zonca, 1980s
By Ottavio Missoni
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Pair of green and blue murano glass wall sconces by Ottavio Missoni for Zonca, 1980s. The dark gray metal frame designed by Ottavio Missoni, and made by "ARTE VETRO MURANO" for Zonca...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 23.23 in W 11.42 in D 11.42 in
Mid-Century Modern Lamp Stripe Murano Glass Glass by Missoni, Italy, 1970s
By Ottavio Missoni, Missoni
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Mid-Century Modern Space Age table or bedside lamp in stripe murano glass by the italian design manufacture Missoni founded by Ottavio Missoni . Famous manufacture like Venini, La Mu...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 27.56 in W 15.75 in D 9.45 in
Ottavio Missoni Italian Murano Glass "Mercurio" Table Lamp for Arte Vetro, 1980
By Arte Vetraria Muranese (AVEM), Ottavio Missoni
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Murano glass lamp designed by Ottavio Missoni and produced by Arte Vetro Murano in the 1980s. The structure is in silver and black metal. " If you like it please make your offer and...
Murano Glass