It was 1953 when Ottavio, nicknamed Tai, and his wife Rosita opened a small knitwear workshop in the basement of their home in Gallarate. Although they presented their first collection in Milan in 1958, it wasn't until 1967 that they attracted the attention of the fashion world with their fashion shows at Palazzo Pitti in Florence. Together they created an original idea of fashion. In 1969 Diana Vreeland, renowned fashion editor of Vogue America, described the concept of fashion expressed by the couple as "ingenious." "The sweater has always been around, we've just done away with certain patterns, we've turned it upside down, done everything you possibly can with it," as Ottavio put it, who sees in color and material all the basic components of his trade. The multicolored sweaters feature zigzag patterns, waves, iridescent yarn, and geometric and floral patchwork jacquards. The maison has confirmed its essence as a family-run business and a great deal of responsibility rests on the shoulders of the founder's children, Vittorio, Luca and Angela, who contribute to the conquest of new markets and to the reinforcement of the brand. Recently inaugurated in Kuwait City is the second hotel in sheer Missoni style after the one in Edinburgh.