Missoni, Art, Colour

Published on the occasion of the Missoni, Art, Colour exhibition, this visually rich catalogue surveys the history and inspiration behind one of the most iconic fashion houses of all time. Rosita and Ottavio Missoni launched their eponymous fashion house in the 1950s, combining art and fashion to create a unique style that is recognized all over the world. This book is both a celebration of the unmistakable Missoni style, whose innovative approach mixes color, pattern, and matter with an extraordinary sense of balance, and an exploration of works by artists who have influenced the designers over the course of their creative, cultural, and artistic journey.The book is divided into four thematic sections that describe the creative process of the Missoni house, from the sources of their inspiration to their transformation of material. It begins with "Roots," which presents the historical avant-garde in Europe, including works by Kandinsky, Klee, Balla, and Severini, and is followed by "Color, Material, and Shape," which focuses on Missoni fashion and design. "Conversations" explores Missoni's creativity in relation to Italian visual culture from the 1950s to the 1980s, and "Tapestries" reveals Ottavio Missoni's most significant works of art made of knitted patchwork."

Luciano Caramel is an art critic and historian who has served as commissioner of the Venice Biennale and the Rome Quadrenniale. Luca Missoni is the artistic director of the Missoni Archive. Emma Zanella is a contemporary art historian and museologist.