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Ensemble

1974 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This woman's summer ensemble in lightweight machine-knitted cotton, wool and rayon was created by Missoni in 1974. The four-part ensemble of lightweight shirt-jacket, skirt, top and long fringed scarf is typical of Italian elegant and versatile ready-to-wear. The scarf can be worn as a headband or a belt as well as around the neck.

Founded by Ottavio Missoni in 1953, the Missoni brand became internationally recognised for beautiful machine-knits for both men and women in variegated colour palettes. Ottavio and his wife Rosita were equal partners in every aspect of their family-run business.

This ensemble in an alternative colourway was chosen to represent 1974 in the Fashion Museum Bath's Dress of the Year collection along with a Missoni menswear ensemble. It was the first time that the Dress of the Year choice was male and female fashions from the same design label.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 4 parts.

  • Blouse
  • Skirt
  • Jumper
  • Scarf
Materials and techniques
machine-knitted wool and rayon
Brief description
Ensemble, Missoni, 1974.
Physical description
Summer outfit comprising a lightweight wool-and-rayon machine-knitted jacket, skirt, top and scarf. The striped chiné knit is cut on the cross to create strong diagonal lines.
Gallery label
(1985)
SUMMER OUTFIT
Jacket, top, skirt and scarf
machine-knitted cotton, wool and rayon
Italian: Missoni, 1974.

Knitted fabric is cut on the cross so that the multicoloured chiné stripes make strong diagonal lines. The jacket has a shirt collar and fastens with patterned buttons. The top has long sleeves and a V shaped neck, and the skirt is pleated onto an elasticated waistband.

The Missonis' strong sense of design and colour together with their flair for mixing and matching different patterns, has had a world-wide influence. 'Ottavio and Rosita Missoni are to Italian knit as Gucci is to leather... together they produce the most beautiful knits in ravishing colours, extraordinary patterns and perfect shapes'. (British Vogue, 15 April 1971)

They have taken their inspiration from many sources and have invited other designers and artists to work in their studio.

Worn and given by Joan Juliet Buck

T.223 to C-1979
Credit line
Worn and given by Joan Juliet Buck
Object history
This is a version of the outfit chosen by Jennifer Hocking of Harper's Bazaar and Queen to represent 1974 in the Fashion Museum, Bath's Dress of the Year collection, along with a man's outfit also by Missoni.
Summary
This woman's summer ensemble in lightweight machine-knitted cotton, wool and rayon was created by Missoni in 1974. The four-part ensemble of lightweight shirt-jacket, skirt, top and long fringed scarf is typical of Italian elegant and versatile ready-to-wear. The scarf can be worn as a headband or a belt as well as around the neck.

Founded by Ottavio Missoni in 1953, the Missoni brand became internationally recognised for beautiful machine-knits for both men and women in variegated colour palettes. Ottavio and his wife Rosita were equal partners in every aspect of their family-run business.

This ensemble in an alternative colourway was chosen to represent 1974 in the Fashion Museum Bath's Dress of the Year collection along with a Missoni menswear ensemble. It was the first time that the Dress of the Year choice was male and female fashions from the same design label.
Collection
Accession number
T.223-1979

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
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