M Missoni was Missoni’s casualwear diffusion line, a modestly priced offshoot of the main collection that was established in 1988. Before it was officially discontinued in 2021, M Missoni’s offerings — including sleeveless silk dresses and cardigans emblazoned with dazzling graphic prints — were aimed at younger buyers.
In 1953, Ottavio “Tai” Missoni (1921–2013) and Rosita Missoni (b. 1931) opened a small knitwear shop in Gallarate, Italy, paving the way for what would become an iconic style of colorful chevron knit.
Missoni began with a tracksuit, which featured zippers down the legs because, as Rosita recalls it, “Tai was too lazy to take off his shoes when putting them on.” The couple’s fashion really took off, though, once they discovered the Raschel knitting machine on a trip to a shawl factory. The machine enabled the Missonis to knit multiple colors in a zigzag pattern, a motif that would go on to become synonymous with the Missoni brand across everything from its alluring vintage day dresses and sweaters to its purses, seating and rugs.
Missoni held its first fashion show in Florence in 1967 and caused a bit of a sensation when the models’ Lurex dresses proved translucent under the lights at the Pitti Palace. Scandal aside, the show went down in history as a hit, and the Missonis soon made their debut in the United States with the help of legendary fashion editor Diana Vreeland, who gave the variegated Missoni stripe the Vogue seal of approval, saying, “Who says a rainbow has seven colors? It has many shades.” (It was also Vreeland who reportedly introduced the Missonis to Neiman Marcus president Stanley Marcus, effectively shepherding the brand to the American market.)
Missoni’s many-shaded rainbow would soon become an emblem of the 1970s fashion scene, earning the brand a permanent place in the fashion canon. In 1973, the New York Times proclaimed: “Missoni’s weaved garments have ended up universal materialistic trifles, as Vuitton sacks and Gucci shoes.”
The brand branched into the home market in 1983, with Rosita overseeing this new venture, Missoni Home. Daughter Angela succeeded her mother at the helm of the brand, where she served as creative director until 2021 and is currently president; her brother Luca is CEO, while her daughter Margherita was overseeing M Missoni.
Margherita Maccapani Missoni was named creative director of M Missoni in 2018. She intended to draw in younger fashion lovers in the know — the modern-day throngs of 1990s apparel enthusiasts — as well as those unfamiliar with the enduring legacy of her grandparents’ label.
In 2023, two years after the company shuttered the offshoot, Margherita established a womenswear brand called Maccapani.
Find vintage M Missoni clothing and accessories today on 1stDibs.
M MISSONI Size 2 Black Viscose Wool Blend Lace Scoop Neck Dress
By M Missoni
Located in San Francisco, CA
M Missoni knit dress features a sophisticated black lace pattern with signature zig-zag detailing. Crafted in Italy from a premium wool and viscos...
$177Sale Price|20% Off
M MISSONI Size 6 Black Knit A-Line Dress
By M Missoni
Located in San Francisco, CA
M MISSONI 3/4 sleeve A-line dress in a black fabric knit and removable slip lining. Made in Italy.Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. Fabric Tag Removed. Marked: 42 Measurements: ...
black and white boléro and dress ensemble in knit jacquard M Missoni
By M Missoni
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
black and white boléro and dress ensemble in rayon and cotton knit jacquard. main knit composition: 64% rayon, 36% cotton. Polyester jersey lining. Bow on the bust. Bolero's size:...
M Missoni Vintage 1990s Women's Black Dress with Signature Knit Design
By M Missoni
Located in Capri, IT
$160Sale Price|20% Off
Missoni Vintage Viscose Sleeveless Midi Dress 1990’s
By Missoni, M Missoni
Located in Woodland Hills, CA
Missoni 1990s Black Viscose and Pink Knit Sleeveless Midi Dress Vintage; circa early 1990s M Missoni line Black/Pink/Orange/Fuschia Striped knit bust, straps, and hem Sleeveless Wid...
$152Sale Price|20% Off
M MISSONI Size 4 Black White Knit A-Line Dress
By M Missoni
Located in San Francisco, CA
M MISSONI dress in a black and white fabric knit featuring a sleeveless style and A-line design. Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. Fabric Tag Removed. Marked: IT 40 Measurements:...
$174Sale Price|20% Off
M MISSONI Size 8 Black Wool Blend Knit A-Line Dress
By M Missoni
Located in San Francisco, CA
M MISSONI long sleeve A-line dress in a black wool knit fabric and removable slip lining. Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. Fabric Tag Removed. Marked: 40 Measurements: Should...
$286Sale Price|20% Off
M MISSONI Size 6 Yellow Black Green Viscose Blend Zig Zag Sleeveless Dress
By M Missoni
Located in San Francisco, CA
M MISSONI dress comes in a multi-color zig zag viscose blend featuring a a-line style, sleeveless, and a elastic waist. New with tags. Marked: 42 Measurements: Shoulder: 9....
Roberto Cavalli Runway Sequin Sun Evening Gown and Cape F/W 2004 Size 40IT
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Roberto Cavalli - Sequin runway evening gown with Swarovski crystal embellished sun cape. Neckline presents a sharp daring plunge to the navel. Th...
Versace F/W 2006 Plunging Ruched Ruffles Black Dress
By Versace
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Versace F/W 2006 Plunging Ruched Ruffles Black Dress Condition: size tag has been removed, fits like a small. A few small pulls by the zipper, see last two pictures, not noticeable...
Roberto Cavalli Vintage Black & Gold Embellished Evening Gown F/W 2006 Sz 42IT
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Roberto Cavalli - Runway - Vintage Black and Gold Embellished Evening Gown Fall/Winter 2006 Size 42IT
Chanel Haute Couture Lace Gown 1940s
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
This is a very rare vintage 1940s Chanel couture gown. Straight silhouette gown comprising a skirt and a blouse, delicate plunging backline decora...
F/W 1998 Yves Saint Laurent velvet and sheer gown with batwing sleeves
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Austin, TX
F/W 1998 Yves Saint Laurent velvet and sheer gown with batwing sleeves Condition: Excellent. Size Small
1980s Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche silk floral wrap dress
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in CULEMBORG, GE
This figure flattering, silk, wrap-dress by Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche from 1980* has a beautiful multicolor floral print. The pink, orange and purple flowers surrounded by green leafs are set on a black ground. At the neck, there is an interior tie to close up above the bust. The inside is lined around the shoulders and it comes with a matching sash stitched on the back. Taking a closer look at the Jabot-style collar and ruffled sleeves covered in pink and orange stripes it shows how beautifully constructed Yves Saint Laurent's ready-to-wear items where made. The vivid colors and combination of stripes and flowers give the all together look a funky Parisienne touch: feminine, but rather cool with a touch of romance. The indicated size FR 38 corresponds to a contemporary size S but because of the two strategic placed hooks at the waist it is possible to adjust this dress and therefore it would also fit a size M (FR40). Item measurements (lying flat): Size: FR 38 Shoulders: 50 cm (sleeves incl.) Sleeves: 64 cm (from shoulder) Bust: 45 cm Waist: 35 up to 40 cm Hips: up to 60 cm Length: 100 cm up to 110 cm (back) Model Nieve wears a size S with a 1.80 meter length. All items I sell are being professionally cleaned, pressed and are odor free. We offer free shipping on all (international) orders. * Additional information: When I was gathering information about this lovely silk Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche floral wrap dress...
Roberto Cavalli F/W 2003 Runway Unworn Sheer Mesh Bustier Plunging Ruched Dress
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Roberto Cavalli F/W 2003 Runway Unworn Sheer Mesh Bustier Plunging Neckline Ruched Dress Size S Look 53 from the Fall 2003 Collection. Condition: Unworn with tags
Rare 1990s Azzedine Alaia Black Lycra Gown Runway Sample Museum
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in New York, NY
Rare Iconic 1990s Azzedine ALAIA Black Ribbed Lycra and Net Sleeveless Gown; V-Neck with Paneled Bodice; Deep V-back with Single Hook and Eye Strap; Full Length Skirt with Fishtail H...
Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent S/S 2002 Runway Sheer Cutout Black Dress Gown
By Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent YSL S/S 2002 Runway Sheer Cutout Backless Black Evening Dress Gown FR 36
Vintage Alaia Polka Dot Body-Con Dress in Black
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Oakland, CA
This Alaia dress is black wool and rayon with white polka dots. The dress is constructed with a size zip and shoulder hooks. The fluted skirt is longer in the back of the dress. Th...
Thierry Mugler Strapless Black Satin Gown, c.1980s
By Thierry Mugler
Located in New York, NY
Thierry Mugler Strapless Black Satin Gown, c.1980s Thierry Mugler Strapless Black Satin Gown featuring asymmetrical, gathered corseted bodice with rhi...
Dolce & Gabbana 2000's Floral Print Silk Chiffon Internal Bra Maxi Evening Gown
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in BELLEVUE HILL, NSW
A striking full length evening dress in sheer silk chiffon printed with deep violet floral motifs layered over a black stretch silk satin slip, this seductive Dolce & Gabbanna dr...
$28,500
Size: 38FR as per measurements
CHANEL Vintage Black Charleston Evening Cocktail Dress with Gold Chains Sz 38FR
By Chanel
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
CHANEL - Vintage black Charleston dress is reminiscent of the rip roaring 20's. This shimming sheath dress is simplistic in design yet intricate in c...
ALAÏA 1990 black knitted mini dress
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Genève, CH
Alaïa knitted mini dress with sheer raised edge skirt -Back closing with a hidden set zipper -Long sleeves -Nude knitted lining -Made in Italy -100% V...
Versace F/W 2004 Embellished Studded Plunging Keyhole Neckline Open Back Dress
By Versace
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Versace F/W 2004 Embellished Studded Halter Plunging Keyhole Neckline Open Back Dress Size: IT 38 Condition: Excellent Versace silk black dress featuring silver square studs, hal...
M MISSONI Size 12 Green Multi Color Wool Blend Knit Sweater Dress
By M Missoni
Located in San Francisco, CA
M MISSONI sweater dress in a multi-color wool blend knit featuring long sleeves, stripe design, and crew-neck. Made in Italy. Excellent Pre-Owned Condition. Marked: IT 48 Meas...
M Missoni Sage & Brown Chevron One-Shoulder Dress
By M Missoni
Located in New York, NY
Product Details: Sage and brown chevron one-shoulder dress by M Missoni. Designer size 48. 28" bust, 41" length. Condition: Pre-owned. Good. Loose thre...
Missoni multicoloured dress
By M Missoni
Located in Capri, IT
Missoni multicoloured dress totally made in italy, size M
M Missoni Dress (46 ITL)
By M Missoni, Angela Missoni
Located in Port Hope, ON
Not your usual Missoni dress! This dress has a lined silk skirt with a cotton knit/crochet top. The skirt has a floral pattern and the top is a white and red criss cross with an oliv...
M Missoni Multi-coloured Metallic Crochet-knit Maxi Dress - Size US4
By M Missoni
Located in London, England
M Missoni Multi-coloured Metallic Crochet-knit Maxi Dress - Metallic crochet-knit - Geometric pattern - Round neck - Long sleeved - Red slip dress - M...
M MISSONI Size 2 Black Jersey Drop Waist Striped Knit Skirt Dress
By M Missoni
Located in San Francisco, CA
M MISSONI dress comes in black jersey with a scoop neck, cap sleeves, and drop waist gray orange and pink sparkle knit stripe drop waist skirt. Made in Italy. Excellent Pre-Owned C...
Sold
Size: Medium - Large
Missoni 1990s Hot Pink + Neon Orange + Gray Silk Jersey Vintage Trapeze Dress
By M Missoni, Missoni
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic 90s MISSONI hot pink, neon orange, and grey silk jersey Trapeze babydoll / empire waist dress! Features a tie-dye like print throughout. Simply slips ...