The iconic “zig-zag” motif first brought an Italian touch to the Bohemian elegance and the artisanal universe of Missoni in 1966. Ottavio and Rosita Missoni set up a workshop in their home in Gallarate, near Milan, to devote themselves to working with knits. The duo rediscovered “Rachel” machines, traditionally used to create the shawls worn in the south of Italy. These techniques allowed for the variation of lines and motifs within a given design. By juggling the assembly of multicolored points, horizontal and vertical lines appear in a rainbow of colors within Missoni’s creations. The “zig-zag” textile would take on a life of its own and espouse one of Ottavio Missoni’s most famous musings: “When Marco Zanuso, an architect, told me that for 20 years everyone was copying the pen he designed, I responded that, for 1,000 years, the Incas have been copying my knit sweaters…” This pigmented “zig-zag” kaleidoscope with geometric motifs brings together aesthetic boldness and technical innovation. This fluid, supple, inimitable, and highly colorful style characterizes the Missoni empire; it has forever modified history and the identity of knit goods.
After 40 years of experimentation on textures and brand new shapes, Missoni changed their color palette. Angela Missoni, the master of the “zig-zag”’s daughter, set the tone for innovation and vintage cult classics. All her family memories were re-knit as she anchored her work in the savoir-faire of knit goods and the famous “zig-zag” point all while sticking with authenticity, elegance, and Italian refinement. The heiress gave the collections a touch-up by subtly mixing “zig-zag” motifs and reinventing their graphic and floral prints. The modernity and dynamic of these new silhouettes would be dubbed “all put together” by the American press corps, who also highlighted an artistic creativity similar to that present in art and architecture. “Today, I believe there is a Missoni spirit. Each generation can find something in it.” – Angela Missoni
A third-generation family member, Margherita Missoni invested in the familial empire by making an appearance as the brand’s muse. Margherita freshly wears the totemic chevron “zig-zag”, her Mediterranean beauty and Boho chic allure reflecting the values that compose the familial brand’s very identity. As a brand ambassador, she incarnates all the originality and longevity of a woman and of Missoni knits. The brand’s strongest link, the designer proposed a new tonality by designing the Missoni accessory line. Whether abstract or figurative, the “zig-zag” was once more released, this timeless basic that traverses seasons, fashions, and generations. “The brand, the family, knits… Everything is like a ball of yarn. It’s impossible to untangle the threads.” – Margherita Missoni
The Missoni brand is indeed far from coming unwound!
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