M. Missoni multi colored Knit Dress
View Similar Items
M. Missoni multi colored Knit Dress
About the Item
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Bust: 30 in (76.2 cm)Waist: 26 in (66.04 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Port Hope, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5381490623
Missoni
In 1953, Ottavio “Tai” (1921–2013) and Rosita (b. 1931) Missoni 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.”
The brand branched into the home market in 1983, with Rosita overseeing this new venture, which included furniture, textiles and accessories. Daughter Angela succeeded her mother at the helm of the brand, where she still serves as president and creative director today; her brother Luca is CEO, while her daughter Margherita is creative director of offshoot M Missoni.
Find vintage Missoni clothing and accessories today on 1stDibs.
- Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti Silk Dress W/TBy Alberta FerrettiLocated in Port Hope, ONThis silk floral pattern dress has never been worn and still has its tags. It looks like a very simple dress until you see details such as draped and pleated neckline with a side bow...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Day Dresses
$157 Sale Price44% Off - M. Missoni Abstract Print Silk Dress (40 ITL) NWTBy M Missoni, Rosella JardiniLocated in Port Hope, ONEasy to wear and travel with this Missoni silk dress has a hidden side zip closure; short sleeves, and a round neckline with a nice slit opening. T...Category
2010s Italian Day Dresses
$213 Sale Price46% Off - 1970s Geoffrey Beene Wool Shift With a TwistBy Geoffrey BeeneLocated in Port Hope, ONIt is a simple shift with wood buttons on the front and at the cuffs, and then you look at the back and you see two defined pleated panel with a quarter trim a third of the way down ...Category
1970s American Shift Dresses
- MARNI Winter Edition 2010 Floral Cotton Dress (42 Itl)By MarniLocated in Port Hope, ONThere are a lot of details to this dress, such as darts, pleats and best of all an attached ribbon which runs from the collar and drapes across the bust and then the waist, reminisce...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Day Dresses
$195 Sale Price40% Off - Martin Margiella Simple Little Black Dress (40)By Martin Margiella, Maison Martin MargielaLocated in Port Hope, ONLovely viscose dress with contrasting cotton trim at the v-neck and cuffs. This 3/4 sleeved dress is simple but elegant with a slight cocoon shape bottom. There is also the design...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Day Dresses
$275 Sale Price30% Off - Marithe Francois Girbaud Black Dress (42 FR)Located in Port Hope, ONSuch a beautiful dress! Dropped waist; cut-out bottom; exposed zipper on satin border (replicated on the wide spagetti straps); stitched detail below the hips accented by a silver me...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Day Dresses
$225 Sale Price34% Off
- Leonard of Paris Pastel Silk Chiffon Day / Evening DressBy Leonard of ParisLocated in New York, NYPretty pastel silk chiffon Leonard of Paris special occasion day / evening dress. Bodice has a ruffled capelet that flows from the center of the dress...Category
Late 20th Century French Day Dresses
- New Chanel Baby Pink Silver Studded Embellished Dress Size 38By ChanelLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLThe ultimate in fashion making luxury craftsmanship. The Iconic House of Chanel always provides us with timeless and classic pieces. The beautiful dress takes timeless creation to a ...Category
2010s French Cocktail Dresses
- Ossie Clark Celia Birtwell Print Dress c. 1970s Worn by Julia RobertsLocated in New York, NYOssie Clark Celia Birtwell Printed Dress c. 1970s Worn by Julia Roberts in 1997 Conspiracy Theory; Empire dress with self ties at neckline a...Category
1970s British Empire Waist Dresses
- Documented 1982 Yves Saint Laurent multicolor striped dressBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint LaurentLocated in CULEMBORG, GEWhen Yves Saint Laurent visited Morocco for the first time in 1966 it changed his life forever. Struck by its beauty he immediately acquired a house in Marrakech and stayed there at least two times a year to design his collections. Yves Saint Laurent once said: ‘Marrakech opened my eyes to color.’ The colors of the stained glass windows and beamed ceilings of the Bahia Palace in Marrakech are a perfect example what inspired him when designing this particular dress for his Rive Gauche collection that came out in 1982. The exciting mix of vivid colors Yves Saint Laurent used designing this dress have a pattern of vertical stripes in lively red, purple indigo, apple green and Dijon yellow alternated with thin black and white stripes. Adding a pussy bow and bishop sleeves gives the entire look an elegant feel. The high quality silk is in a very good vintage condition and has been professionally cleaned and pressed. The state of this unique Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche dress is very good, only a small piece of the original mother-of-pearl button left hand button has chipped off (see the last photograph), but can be easily replaced. As you wish we can replace this with a new button without charging extra costs. The dress that was also featured in Vogue magazine in a 1982 Yves...Category
1980s French Casual Dresses
- Claire McCardell (attributed) by Townley Floral Chiffon DressBy Claire McCardell Clothes by Townley, TownleyLocated in Sharon, CTOffering a Floral Chiffon Dress by Townley (labeled), the design attributed to Claire McCardell. Approximate size: 8, length 43" and waist 28".Category
1970s English Informal Dresses
- Sonia Rykiel SS-2002 Viscose Mix Flower Print Slip DressBy Sonia RykielLocated in Brussels, BEFlower Power remains an all-time boho statement, and Sonia Rykiel’s career interestingly took off in the early 1970s. Throughout her prolific years as a designer, Rykiel loved going ...Category
Early 2000s French Day Dresses