Missoni Forever

Missoni Hotel, Edinburgh

I envy my friend's recent trip to the U.K.  She got to do and see a lot of the things that are on my travel bucket list.  It's a good thing that she and I share a lot of the same interests.  So I was delighted when I saw her photos of the Missoni hotel in Edinburgh.

Missoni is an Italian fashion house based in Varese, founded by Ottavio and Rosita Missoni in 1953.  This brand is famous for its unique knitwear that are colourful and full of patterns.  The Missoni home collection has its roots in fabrics first produced in 1981.



Looking in the Missoni
Hotel window. Fantastic
graphic vase

Missoni became quite popular throughout Italy.  But in the late 1960's, Diana Vreeland, editor of Vogue Magazine who really opened the door to the U.S. market enabling the Missoni label to open its first boutique inside Bloomingdales.

The early 1970's was the peak of Missoni's domination in the world of fashion.  The company then became interested in the home by way of carpets and tapestries.

How would you spot a Missoni?  You've probably already seen it many times without knowing it.  Their knitwear has a multitude of patterns such as stripes, geometrics and abstract florals on different types of fabrics such as wool, cotton, linen, rayon and silk.



The Missoni tartan?
Scotsmen look great in
their kilts

In 2005, Missoni and the Rezidor Hotel Group signed an agreement to create "Missoni Hotel", a chain of lifestyle hotels around the world.  This one in Edinburgh is the first to open its doors to the public.  One other in Kuwait is open.  Twenty-eight more are planned for around the world.

I like Missoni because it's interesting and graphic but not complicated.  Patterns are bold with a great retro vibe.  Designs of clothing and housewares are kept simple, which make them timeless.  I'm glad that my friend spotted the Missoni Hotel Sign.  Great opportunity to write about this fab company.




Missoni (Made in Italy)