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.
Tapestry, design by Ottavio MISSONI for SAPORITI. Italy, 70s
By Ottavio Missoni
Located in Torino, IT
Tapestry, design by Ottavio MISSONI for SAPORITI. ORIGIN Italy PERIOD 70s/80s DESIGNER Octavius MISSONI MARK Saporiti MATERIALS Fabrics DIMENSIONS Work: 51 x 51 cm Frame: 76 x ...
Fabric
Light blue Missoni tapestry for hanging, Italy 1980s
By Ottavio Missoni
Located in Firenze, FI
Tapestry by Ottavio Missoni with the design typical of his style. Characterized by repeated squares with shades of blue. Textures and colors alternate, creating depth and visual dyn...
Wool
Italian Vintage Tapestry by Missoni, 1980s
By Ottavio Missoni
Located in Renens, CH
Italian collectable tapestry, professionally framed. This piece, considered a work of art has been designed by Ottavio Missoni, (1921 – 2013) during the 1980s. The Missoni enterpris...
Wool, Plywood
Missoni Patchwork Tapestry Handmade in 1980 By Ottavio Missoni - Rug Carpet RARE
By Missoni, Ottavio Missoni
Located in Long Island, NY
Missoni – Patchwork Tapestry Prototype This Rare Tapestry Patchwork was made by Ottavio Missoni in the early 1980’s for the launch of the Missoni...
Wool
Arazzo in lana di Ottavio Missoni con cornice in legno, Italia primi anni '80
By Ottavio Missoni
Located in Firenze, FI
Questo arazzo di Ottavio Missoni, con dimensioni di 182 cm. x 60 cm., è composto da riquadri e pannelli che si susseguono ritmicamente. Costruito come un patchwork tessile, dove tro...
Wool, Wood
Ottavio Missoni Patchwork in Wool Series Arras, Design in Years ’70 for Saporit
By Ottavio Missoni
Located in Biella, IT
Saporiti Italy production and design Ottavio years '70 first series arras patchwork in wool.
Textile, Wool
$750Sale Price|55% Off
H 54 in W 61 in D 0.25 in
Italian Tapestry, Linen Wall Hanging, Circa 1920s, 54x61 Inches
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
Italian tapestry, circa 1920s.
Linen
Monumental 18th Century Aubusson Verdure Tapestry
By Aubusson Manufacture
Located in Miami, FL
Monumental 18th Century Aubusson Verdure Tapestry From the historical residence Chateau de Nernier, situated on the French side of Lake Geneva: A magnificent French verdure tapestry, woven in wool and silk at the renowned Aubusson workshops in the early 18th century. This richly detailed piece features a lush woodland landscape with delicate architectural elements and meandering waterways inhabited by elegant wading birds. The composition is framed by an intricately woven floral border that enhances the tapestry’s pastoral...
Wool, Silk
Embroidered Holy Spirit Panel
Located in New York, NY
Embroidered Holy Spirit panel. Antique embroidered doubled sided panel in paper with original antique seeded glass and gilt carved frame, Italy, l...
Silk
Vintage Tapestry Wall Hanging Decor Hunting Scene
Located in Barntrup, DE
This colorful vintage tapestry depicts a European hunting scene from the 18th century. It is made from wool and cotton and features four loops for easy hanging. Crafted in Belgium d...
Wool, Cotton
$24,995
H 145 in W 121 in D 0.05 in
Antique 18th Century French Landscape Verdure Tapestry, with Birds in the Woods
Located in New York, NY
An antique 18th century French Beauvais landscape verdure tapestry, size 12'1 H x 10'1 W. This tapestry features a group of birds in a verdant woodland setting near a bridge, with th...
Wool, Silk
French Tapestry Around 1950 Framed, N° 1169
Located in Paris, FR
French tapestry around 1950 framed - n° 1169 the tapestry is framed and ready to hang on the wall Thanks to our Restoration-Conservation workshop and also Our know-how, we are pl...
Wool
Midcentury Design Handmade Tapestry, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Handmade - Czechoslovakia - Very good condition - circa 1960s.
Textile
French Vintage Tapestry Reproduction by Corot
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An absolutely delightful French 20th Century verdure-style tapestry depicting a lush forest scene and a meandering waterway. Woven in verdant colors in a range of green and blue tone...
Wool, Cotton
Large 1970s Modern Handwoven Wool Tapestry, Abstract Design, Vintage
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Large 1970’s Modern handwoven wool abstract tapestry art. Can be hung on a rod or frame. In good original vintage configuration with minor wear consistent with age. Measurements...
Wool
$175 / item
H 0.1 in W 52 in D 37 in
Bit Map Throw Blanket 04 by Luft Tanaka, Multicolor, Digital, cotton, 37"x52"
By Luft Tanaka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bit map throw blanket 04 by Luft Tanaka Studio A colorful graphic throw blanket / wall tapestry woven out of 100 % cotton yarn based on digital pixel art created using an early bitmap drawing software from the 1980s and 1990s. The cartoon like clip-art graphic makes it a perfect addition for a kid's room and grown-ups looking for a touch of 90's throwback. Measures: 37" x 52" / 94cm x 132cm Please inquire if you're interested in other sizes: 50" x 60" / 127cm x 152cm 60" x 80" / 152cm x 203cm The Bit Map Series is based on digital “doodles” Luft makes using Kid...
Cotton
$520
H 26.78 in W 31.5 in D 0.32 in
1950s-70s Vintage Japanese small rag rug, modern Sakiori handwoven tapestry
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Vintage Japanese small rag rug - Sakiori (weaving method that uses torn fabrics) handcraft textile mat, 1950s to 1970s estimate from used materials and condition. This is, in the vei...
Polyester, Cotton
$18,000
H 58 in W 108 in D 0.5 in
Vintage Cubist-Inspired Tapestry by Robert Goodnough, USA, circa 1980
By Robert Goodnough
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Cubist-Inspired Tapestry by Robert Goodnough, USA, circa 1970s Vibrant tapestry by American artist Robert Goodnough (1917-2010), known for his exploration of Cubist-inspire...
Wool
Italian Design Classic Woolen Vintage Tapestry by Missoni, 1980s
By Missoni Home, Ottavio Missoni
Located in Renens, CH
Woolen tapestry, professionally framed. This piece, considered a work of art has been designed by Ottavio Missoni, (1921 – 2013) during the 1980s. The Missoni enterprise was founded...
Wool