missoni

see what happens when one of the world's most colorful fashion designer teams up with the new MINI? [i dominate winter in my own peeperwhite mini cooper -in black patent leather stiletto heels + whip]

family matriarch rosita missoni’s famous way with colour has turned ordinary home objects into 'must have' lavish lux lifestyle gear. here's a little info: ottavio and rosita are known around the world as fashion artisans because they modernized their business by dreaming up vivid multicolored designs, mostly influenced by folk art. at first it was the pattern of stripes, the easiest design that could be made with their knit. these days missoni employs about 200 people at the sumirago headquarters in the province of varese. they produce up to twenty different fabrics, including wool, cotton, linen, rayon and silk all in 40 different colours for each of their collections. the clothing line ranges from sweaters to skirts, dresses and jackets. ottavio missoni has also expanded from clothes to tapestries and carpets. even with their rapid development and their growing global sales, the missoni’s have kept their traditional inspirations and maintained quality an essential priority. ottavio and rosita have three children, all of which have united to manage the family business. With the arrival of computer technology who knows what the younger missoni generation has in store for the future.

over time missoni has endorsed licensing agreements with companies manufacturing rugs, tableware and household linen along with collaborating with fiat on car interiors. most recently missoni brought its ‘cult ojects’ together under a separate brand, with rosita in full control- missioni home.

at kartell, philippe starck’s mademoiselle chair is being shown covered in vivid optic missoni fabric. it’s just another bright spot for the missoni home collection, a group including the bedding, pillows, towels and rugs you might expect form the textile gurus, even items like candles, dishware, chairs and ottomans.

the italian fashion house presented its first tableware collection, which will be distributed by the richard ginori group. the new china collection, inspired by missoni's spring ready-to-wear lines, will integrate the company's luxurious home collection. dishwares with retail prices in the U.S. ranging from $10 to $27, are accented by warm greens, blues, and violets, with a predominance of stripes, curves and stylized flowers. the collection will hit stores worldwide around the fall and will be available in four different versions: margherita, with platinum rims and warm tones; timoteo, with rhomboid porcelain dishes; bianconero, with black and white curves and flowers; and, finally, jennifer, with colored stripes and curves. [jennifer is my pick.]

graphic design redefines bedtime. give your room a modern makeover with missoni home collection gabriel signature geometric prints. bold multicolor zig-zags meet saturated solids for a look that’s cutting-edge style and luxurious. collection includes duvet, sham and two accent pillows. shown with gilberto coverlet and ginny sheets.

and in the future...the italian design house will join forces with hotel group rezidor SAS and launch a new lifestyle hotel brand. the group has agreed to a worldwide licensing agreement to develop and operate the brand under the name ‘hotel missoni’. rezidor will open three properties by 2007 and plans to have 30 sites either open or under development by 2010. city-centre locations and resort destinations are being sought in the UK, mainland europe, russia, turkey, dubai and other parts of the middle east.

missoni home, the premier italian design firm, has opened its first showroom in canada at 1400 castlefield avenue in toronto, just west of caledonia. castlefield is located between lawrence avenue and eglinton avenue, west of dufferin. you can catch a glimpse of missoni at the up coming interior design show 2006 feb 23-26th here in toronto.