MISSONI

Origin: Gallarate, Italy

Founded: 1953

Founders: Ottavio "Tai" Missoni and Rosita Missoni

Brand Story:

Founded in 1953 as a small knitwear workshop in Gallarate by husband-and-wife duo Ottavio and Rosita Missoni, the house revolutionized luxury fashion by transforming humble knitwear into high-art masterpieces. Utilizing complex Raschel warp-knitting machines originally designed for lightweight shawls, the founders unlocked unprecedented possibilities in color blending and geometric patterns. The brand achieved international acclaim in the late 1960s with its pioneering, kaleidoscopic aesthetic—defined by vibrant abstract stripes, space-dyed yarns, and its world-famous zigzag (chevron) motif. Today, Missoni remains the quintessential global symbol of Italian bohemian luxury, effortless resort wear, and mastery over texture and color.