Ottavio and Rosita Missoni

Tai, Rosita and Angela
Ottavio and Rosita Missoni started creating knitwear soon after their marriage in 1953, and within two years the talented duo had produced their first collection was presented in Milan, using the latest knitwear technology. The Missoni's metat the 1948 Olympics in London, where Ottavio was competing in the 400-metre hurdles, wearing the team tracksuit that had been designed by his own small knitwear company. A new 'system' made it easier to produce vertically striped sweaters, while their 'rediscovery' of old knitting machines, enabled them to create super-lightweight knit dresses, they soon caught the eye of famous designers such as Emmanuwelle Kahn, who designed for them in 1965. Two years later a Missoni dress appeared on the cover of Elle.

Over the next ten years Missoni helped secure Milan's position as a major fashion centre, and came to be regarded as a world leader in knitwear design. Missoni designs have been the subject of exhibitions and a 25-year retrospective was held in New York in 1979, the same year they received civic honours in Milan.

The enduring popularity of Missoni's colourful knitwear in basic shapes means their clothes have changed little over the years. Their strength and appeal lies in their simple beauty. Colour is the key to the Missoni look. The distinctive, flecked 'flame dye' effect is acheived by only partly immersing the yarnin the dye to leave a white mark or to allow the colour of the yarn to show through.

In 1997 Ottavio and Rosita handed the business over to their daughter, Angela, who has inherited the Missoni sensabilities.

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