30 fashion designers you should know... #08

MISSONI

The story of Missoni is not only the story of a brand name, but also that of a family. And the two are as closely interwoven as the stitches of their colorful zigzag knitted creations. Significantly, the label was founded in the year in which Ottavio (known as Tai) Missoni and Rosita Jelmini were married- he an Olympic runner with an interest in knitting techniques, she a language student whose family produced shawls and embroidered fabrics. Rosita and Tai met at the 1948 Olympics in London, where he finished sixth in men's hurdles. Back in Italy, their apartment became their studio. Rosita and Tai experimented with their knitting machines until they were able to produce not only horizontal stripes, but also vertical and diagonal ones and finally their trademark- zigzag designs. Their Lurex yarns and colorfully fashions caused a double dose of excitement at the Missoni's catwalk premiere in Florence in 1967. With the support of Italien style icon Anna Piaggi, the Missonis conquered Europe and America. In the process, the Missonis gave the seventies two important stylistic landmarks: an uncomplicated glamour emerging from the combination of intricate patterns and easy-to-wear designs. It all began with twelve colors per collection- there are now as many as forty. Who knows what the next generation of Missonis will knit.

Missoni