Ottavio missoni biography
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Their fame reached its peak in April 1967 when the Missonis were invited to a fashion show at the Pitti Palace in Florence. Angela Missoni’s first steps within the family company were on the Missoni kids’ line, followed by fragrances and jewelry. Running led him meeting his lifelong partner, Rosita Jelmini when he was competing in the London Olympics. In 1986, Ottavio Missoni was awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic for his contributions.
The label was discovered and promoted by Anna Piaggi, who would later sate that the Missoni’s had started a ‘knitwear revolution’.
Their marriage in 1953 marked the beginning of a remarkable journey in the world of fashion. The role has been inherited by one of her collaborators, Alberto Caliri, who has worked alongside the designer for over fifteen years. This retrospective traveled to the Yoyogi Stadium in Tokyo and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Today, the brand boasts a global presence with stores worldwide and is celebrated for its exceptional knitwear.
Missoni Home collaborated with Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Company to decorate the Urban Oasis building in Dubai with its line.
An accent on Missoni’s heritage: on Ottavio’s centenary, Angela exits creative direction
Ottavio Missoni. The show became both a sensation and a scandal.
In the following year, Ottavio was not invited back to Florence, but their business continued to prosper, and in 1969, they built a new factory in Sumirago.
Curated by Clara Tosi Pamphili and organized by Mondomostre / Skira, the exhibition previously presented at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London is brought to Milan involving the Missonis as representatives of the revolutionary spirit of the period in Italy. As Ottavio Missoni once said: «Life is more with colors».
Cecilia Falovo
Missoni
Founded by Ottavio and Rosita Missoni in 1953
Ottavio Missoni, born in 1921, initially pursued a career as an international athlete, fueled by his early passion for sports.
Renowned for its fine yarns, vibrant color palettes, and intricate patterns, it has become an iconic Italian fashion and knitwear brand.
Between 2007 and 2009, Massimo Gasparini briefly held the position of CEO, implementing a new organizational structure and refining the product offering.
In September 2011, the brand gained widespread attention when Target Stores released affordable versions of their products, causing a frenzy of sales both in stores and online.
Tragedy struck on January 4, 2013, when Vittorio Missoni, then CEO of the company, went missing in a plane crash off the coast of Venezuela.
In the early 1970s, the Missonis became a highly influential couple in the fashion world, and in 1976, they opened their first boutique in Milan.
Ottavio then began to explore other projects, ranging from designing theatrical costumes to creating tapestries and carpets. The same year, they introduced a new line for both men and women, ‘M Missoni.’ The year concluded with the opening of a flagship store in New York.
The new millennium brought the creation of an internet site in 2000, and in 2003, they celebrated their 50th anniversary in fashion with a retrospective show featuring over 100 archive pieces.
On seeing their collection her reaction was conclusive: «Who said that only colors exist? The memory of a man, athlete and artist, who, with his wife Rosita consolidated the Made in Italy in the world. Over the years the archive has evolved into a corporate research and communication tool reflecting the references for the brand’s heritage.
The Missoni Archive at present consists of about 20,000 pieces from the Missoni men’s and women’s collections with thousands of accessories, fabric swatches, editorials, and photographs.
The dress will be worn by Amber Valletta for the evening at the Teatro alla Scala.
In October, Missoni participates in the Cantù International Lace Biennial with a lace made starting from an iconic Missoni design.
Also in October in Los Angeles, Luca Missoni creates an installation for a retrospective exhibition on Missoni Sport from 1985 to 1990 at the Pop-Up store Lowkey Studio at the HVW8 Art and Design Gallery.
Missoni participates in the ‘Apritimoda’ project in which Milan opens the ateliers and archives of its fashion houses to visits to the public.
The celebrations for Angela Missoni’s 20 years as creative director continue in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Dallas with special events from major American clients Neinman Marcus and Sak’s.
The transparency of the model’s clothing under the bright catwalk lights, revealed a lack of underwear and led to comparisons to the Crazy Horse cabaret. In 1984, another boutique was added in New York. The creative director will be Margherita Maccapani Missoni. From a small workshop with only three knitted machines to boutiques Angela grew up into, her family changed the face of knitwear and helped boost the knowledge of loungewear, as we know it today, with colors at the core of their experimentation.
Ottavio’s experience as an activewear designer and manufacturer was applied to his and Rosita’s designs, which contributed to the development of Italian sportswear as a challenge to the American industry.
Lampoon reviews Missoni’s knitwear
Ottavio’s sportif expertise with Rosita’s help crossed over into the industry and began to be feature in the fashion press.