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.”
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 Missoni clothing and accessories today on 1stDibs.
$6,250Sale Price|26% Off
Missoni Post-Modern Striped Rug, circa 1980, Italy, Signed
By Missoni, Missoni Home
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Attention interior designers, this is the large rug you need for that high-profile cover-worthy room you're working on. This signed Missoni rug is from the 1980s Italy and in an oh-s...
Wool
Ottavio Missoni Limited Edition Geometric Rug for Missoni Home
By Ottavio Missoni, Missoni
Located in Conversano, IT
Stunning and rare "Orion T101" rug from the original Missoni Home Arazzi Patchwork collection, designed by Ottavio Missoni in 1991. Handcrafted in Italy from pure virgin wool, this limited-edition piece features complex, multicolored geometric motifs that embody Missoni's signature aesthetic. The design is completed by Missoni's iconic woven signature, marking it as an original collector's item. This particular colorway is extremely rare, distinguishing it from other known versions and vastly superior to recent Missoni rugs not made in Italy. This piece is in very good vintage condition with minimal wear on two corners, not affecting its beauty or integrity. One of the rarest color versions of this design, handmade in Italy. Dimensions Length: 234 cm (92.1 in) Width: 166 cm (65.4 in) Keywords: Missoni Home Rug 1991 - Ottavio Missoni Patchwork Carpet - Vintage Italian Designer Rug - Geometric Wool Rug Missoni...
Wool
Vintage Hand-Knotted Rug, model "Orion" designed by Ottavio Missoni for Missoni
By Ottavio Missoni, Missoni
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a breathtaking postmodern rug designed by Ottavio Missoni for Missoni. Model "Orion" is an iconic piece designed as a patc...
Wool
Stunning Vintage Missoni Rug By T &J Vestor in Pure Wool *Free Shipping
By Missoni
Located in Portlaoise, IE
Stunning geometric patterned vintage Missoni wool rug by T & J Vestor. Bearing the original Missoni labels to the side and underneath. An exquisite rug presented in superb vintage co...
Wool
$7,500Sale Price|23% Off
Missoni Post-Modern Wool Rug, 1980s, Italy, Signed
By Missoni, Missoni Home
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Attention interior designers, this is the rug you need for that high-profile cover-worthy room you're working on. This signed Missoni rug is from the 1980s Italy and in an oh-so-on-t...
Wool
Stunning Rare Original Vintage Missoni Rug In Pure Wool *FREE WORLDWIDE DELIVERY
By Missoni
Located in Portlaoise, IE
This stunning rare original rug dates from 1989 and has the Missoni signature and date woven into the corner. In pure wool and full of colour and geometric patterns it is certain to ...
Wool
$3,412
Vintage Missoni Rug
By Missoni
Located in Ferrara, IT
This vintage Missoni designer rug is a striking and vibrant piece that combines bold colors, large-scale floral design, and impeccable craftsmanship. W...
Wool
Rectangular Black and Colorful Wool Carpet by Missoni, Italy 1980s
By Missoni
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. Made in wool. Unfortunately the label is no longer attached, but we can guarantee it is by Missoni as we already had one like this. This carpet is vintage, th...
Wool
Stunning Vintage Missoni Rug By T &J Vestor in Pure Wool *Free Shipping
By Missoni
Located in Portlaoise, IE
Stunnning vintage Missoni rug designed by T & J Vestor. In pure wool this piece has been professionally dry cleaned and is presented in excellent v...
Wool
Missoni carpet for T&J Vestor
By Missoni
Located in Milano, IT
Large wool carpet featuring designs by the renowned fashion house Missoni, founded by Ottavio Missoni, for T&J Vestor, a company specializing in manufacturing for prominent fashion b...
Wool
$4,660
Carpet by Missoni
By Missoni
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Handknotted, polychrome wool.
Wool
Italian modern black wool rectangular carpet by Missoni, 1990s
By Missoni
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black wool rectangular carpet by Missoni, 1990s Rectangular rug in pure virgin wool fabric. The carpet profiles are in black. The interiors are characterized by a seri...
Wool
Italian modern blue wool rectangular carpet by Missoni, 1990s
By Missoni
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern blue wool rectangular carpet by Missoni, 1990s Rectangular carpet in pure virgin wool fabric. The profiles of the rug are in bright blue, the interiors are thin stripe...
Wool
Missoni by T&J. Vestor in years '80 optical art carpet wool
By Missoni
Located in Biella, IT
Missoni by T&J. Vestor in years '80 optical art carpet 100 % wool
Wool
Contemporary Rug Designed by Artist Jacques Jarrige
By Jacques Jarrige
Located in New York, NY
This contemporary French area rug is the result of a collaboration between sculptor Jacques Jarrige and renowned rug atelier Diurne. Hand-knotted with exceptional craftsmanship, the ...
Wool
1970s pure wool rug Belgium - Louis de Poortere
By Louis De Poortere
Located in Firenze, FI
Wool rug made by the De Poortere company in Belgium with dimensions 170 x 240. Murano model, with label. The central field of the rug is decorated with a complex botè pattern (styliz...
Wool
Missoni wool rug for T & J Vestor Italia - 1980s
By Ottavio Missoni
Located in Firenze, FI
Ottavio Missoni carpet with geometric design inspired by the chevron pattern, very characteristic of his style. Carpet from the 1980s made of wool by the T & J Vestor company. Chevr...
Wool
Vintage 1970s rya rug in wool, Denmark
By Ege Denmark
Located in Firenze, FI
This vintage rug is made using the Rya weaving technique in Denmark, by the company Ege carpets, completely from pure wool. The modern design represents a set of overlapping circles ...
Wool
Rug, design by Ottavio MISSONI for SAPORITI. Italy, 70s
By Saporiti, Ottavio Missoni
Located in Torino, IT
Carpet, design by Ottavio MISSONI for SAPORITI. ORIGIN Italy PERIOD 70s/80s DESIGNER Octavius MISSONI MARK Saporiti MATERIALS Fabrics DIMENSIONS 240 x 240 cm CONDITIONS Perfet...
Fabric
Limited Edition Geometric Rug by George Sowden, "GJS1" Handmade Wool, 2003
By George Sowden
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
This striking & elegant carpet is from a Limited Edition of 36 units (ours is Edition # 5 of 36, hand signed by the artist/designer George J Sowden, one of the original MEMPHIS m...
Wool
Missoni tapestry in wool signed Giorgio Saporiti '93
By Giorgio Saporiti, Ottavio Missoni
Located in Firenze, FI
Missoni tapestry, made by Giorgio Saporiti in 1993, as reported by the signature on the back. The design features a geometric pattern of repeated square blocks. The dominant colors...
Wool
Beautiful New Modern Hand Knotted, Abstract Design Rug
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Nice contemporary abstract design rug with beautiful colors, entirely hand knotted with wool and silk velvet on cotton foundation.
Silk
Homage Gray Instrumentation by Josef Albers Limited Edition Rug
By Josef Albers
Located in Jersey City, NJ
100% wool rug hand-dyed and hand-tufted 5'9" x 5'9" (1.75 meters x 1.75 meters) printed tag showing edition details and signature edition of 250 Produced in association with the Jos...
Wool
Vintage Missoni Rug
By Missoni
Located in Ferrara, IT
This vintage Missoni designer rug is a striking and vibrant piece that combines bold colors, large-scale floral design, and impeccable craftsmanship. W...
Wool
Rya vintage 1970s Denmark pure wool rug
By Ege Rya
Located in Firenze, FI
Vintage 1970s Denmark rya rug in pure wool This vintage rug, made using the Rya weaving technique in Denmark by the company Ege carpets, is an expression of Nordic design, completely...
Wool
Beautiful New Modern Hand Knotted, Abstract Design Rug
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Nice contemporary abstract design rug with beautiful colors, entirely hand knotted with wool velvet on cotton foundation.
Wool
Pair of Italian postmodern rug by Ottavio MiSSONI Mod. Rosita
By Ottavio Missoni, Missoni
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of Italian Postmodern Missoni 1980s Rugs - Geometric Design and Vibrant Colors, model Rosita. Explore the iconic aesthetic of the 1980s with these postmodern Italian rugs by Mis...
Wool
Sold
W 63.78 in L 94.49 in
Stunning Vintage Italian Missoni Rug In Pure Wool * Free International Delivery
By Missoni
Located in Portlaoise, IE
A striking example of Italian design from the 1980s, this vintage Missoni rug is crafted in pure virgin wool and showcases the brand’s iconic mastery of pattern and color. The compos...
Wool
Sold
W 65.16 in L 94.89 in
Colourful Patterned Rare Vintage Pure Wool Missoni Rug *FREE WORLDWIDE DELIVERY
By Missoni
Located in Portlaoise, IE
Infuse your space with bold color and timeless design with this stunning vintage Missoni rug, woven in pure virgin wool and complete with its original Missoni label—still intact und...
Wool
Beautiful Pure Wool Missoni Rug * FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING
By Missoni
Located in Portlaoise, IE
A wonderful vibrant original T & J Vestor designed Missoni rug in pure virgin wool. This outstanding piece with vibrant colours and a stunning geometric pattern is sure to make a rea...
Wool
Italian Vintage Wool Rug with a Geometric Mosaic Pattern By MISSONI, 70s
By Missoni
Located in Roma, IT
A Rug made in Italy between the 70s and 80s, produced by T&J vestor based on a design by the historic fashion brand Missoni. Missoni make the best knitwear in the world and, accordin...
Wool
Rectangular Brown Wool Carpet by Missoni, Italy 1980s
By Missoni
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. Made in wool. Unfortunately the label is no longer attached, but we can guarantee it is by Missoni as we already had one like this. This carpet is vintage, th...
Wool
Sold
W 63.78 in L 94.89 in
Stylish Vintage Patterened Italian Wool Rug By Missoni *FREE WORLDWIDE DELIVERY
By Missoni
Located in Portlaoise, IE
Stunnning vintage Missoni rug in pure wool this piece has been professionally dry cleaned and is presented in excellent vintage condition. Striking geometric pattern in a variety of ...
Wool
Luxurious Vintage Missoni Rug By T & J Vestor *Free International Delivery
By Missoni
Located in Portlaoise, IE
This stunning vintage Missoni rug by T & J Vestor is made from the finest pure virgin wool and it has the most wonderful green and purple hues. Measuring 204 x 193 cm it is a really ...
Wool
1980s Gorgeous Geometric Italian Woolen Rug by Missoni for T&J Vestor
By Missoni
Located in Milano, IT
1980s Gorgeous rug by Missoni for T&J Vestor. Pure wool Made in Italy. In excellent condition like new. Signed at the bottom. This rug is a true example of amazing Italian design. Di...
Wool
Pair of Small Scale Vintage Missoni Rugs
By Missoni
Located in Portlaoise, IE
Striking pair of small scale vintage Missoni rugs with geometric pattern in a fusion of colour. Can be used together if so desired to form a runne...
Wool
Missoni Signed Post-Modern Kaleidoscope Large Rug, circa 1980
By Missoni, Missoni Home
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Attention interior designers, this is the large rug you need for that high-profile cover-worthy room you're working on. This signed Missoni rug is from the 1980s and in an oh-so-on-t...
Wool
Black Wool Shag Carpet by Missoni, Italy, 1990s
By Missoni
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in wool. It features its original label and it is in excellent original condition. The picture with the coffee table by Missoni is for illustrative purposes. Measures: D...
Wool