Former Olympian Ottavio and his partner Rosita Missoni founded their knitwear workshop in Gallarate in 1953. Considered the pioneering athleisure brand, the duo began to experiment with textiles and knitted fabric construction. One of the most respected and revered exponents of the made in Italy concept, the dynastic brand’s iconic kaleidoscopic zigzag pattern technique changed the face of fashion in the 1960s.