Missoni new boutique hotel has just opened its doors in Edinburgh, but if you want to get to grips with the history of this Italian fashion label, London is the location! From 1 July to 20 September Estorick Collection will host Workshop Missoni - Daring To Be Different, an exhibition exploring the label which has transformed knitwear in fashion and developed a unique signature style fusing textures and patterns.
Missoni's spring/summer 1968 collection, left, and the autumn/winter 2002 collection, right.
Ottavio Missoni began making tracksuits in the late 1940s, met Rosita Jelmini, granddaughter of a family of shawlmakers from Northern Italy, and the pair married in 1953. They set up a small workshop in their basement and from these humble beginnings built an iconic fashion label which wowed Vogue Editor Diana Vreeland, who on seeing their collection in 1969 exclaimed: "Who said there are only colours, there are shades too!" Their children, Ottavio, Angelo and Luca Missoni have joined their parents in making Missoni a worldwide success.
Ottavio and Rosita Missoni
This exhibition will give fashion fans candid behind-the-scenes access to technical workings and show some of the inspirations behind the designs. The exhibition opens on 1 July and runs until 20 September 009, open Wednesday-Saturday 11am-6pm and Sunday 12noon-5pm with late night openings on Thursday, at the Estorick Collection, 39a Canonbury Square, London N1.
Marian Buckley
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