Missoni (Made in Italy)

Run by a husband and wife team, the house of Missoni is an exception to many of the trends of the fashion world. The fact that the Missonis ignored advice that one can't make swimwear out of knitted textiles, that they have remained together as a married couple, and their longevity all attest to their ability to resist trends. The company was founded by Ottavio (Tai) and Rosita Missoni in the late fifties and quickly became known as one of the great textile innovators. The Missoni's production of their unique style of soft knitwear, usually from natural fibers and in muted colors has oft been copied but never reproduced. In the new release from Gingko Press the path of the House of Missoni is traced from their early experiments with knitting looms to the newest lines of clothes in their trademark "space-dyed" knitwear. As Tai and Rosita pass the stewardship of the company over to their children there continues the trend of remaining an exception.