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The Italian knitwear house Missoni has its roots in the small knitting business that newlyweds Ottavio (b. 1921) and Rosita (b. 1931) Missoni started in 1953. For several years they sold their sweaters to department stores and in 1958 started marketing the sweaters under the Missoni name.

In the early 1960s the company developed the designs that made them famous – flame stitches, wavy lines, and zigzags were soon associated with the Missoni name. Ottavio and Rosita presented their collection in Paris for the first time in 1967 and in 1976 they opened boutiques in Milan and New York. In the mid-1980s they started men’s lines and Missoni Sport. They handed over the business to their daughter Angela (b. 1958) in 1997. In 1998 M Missoni, a lower-cost line, was introduced. Margharita Missoni, granddaughter of the founders, is the “face” of Missoni today.

Written by fuzzylizzie


from a late-1960s sweater set - Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a late-1960s sweater set

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1960s/1970s cape - Courtesy of Augusta Auctions

from a 1960s/1970s cape

Courtesy of Augusta Auctions

from an early 1970s shirt - Courtesy pinky-a-gogo

from an early 1970s shirt

Courtesy pinky-a-gogo

from a 1970s knit wrap front dress - Courtesy of mags_rags

from a 1970s knit wrap front dress

Courtesy of mags_rags

from a late 1970s lurex skirt and top - Courtesy of novafashions

from a late 1970s lurex skirt and top

Courtesy of novafashions

from a 1980s silk tie - Courtesy of midge

from a 1980s silk tie

Courtesy of midge

from an early 1980s dress - Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from an early 1980s dress

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a 2000s knit skirt - Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 2000s knit skirt

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a late-2000s maxi dress - Courtesy of Finn Vintage

from a late-2000s maxi dress

Courtesy of Finn Vintage