Milanese Marvels
As KNITWEAR DYNASTY MISSONI makes its way into the country, Bazaar’s Akshita Phoolka speaks to its creative director and brand matriarch, Angela Missoni, in an EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
My earliest Missoni memory dates back to a time when I could barely spell the word fashion, leave alone being aware of designer labels. Always one to rummage through people’s photographs, I remember sitting in my aunt’s house somewhere in the hills and pulling out a pile of dusty albums for want of something better to do. Going through old images of my mother and her seven sisters in their younger, sexier days, I stumbled upon an iconic photo of my second oldest aunt walking down a Parisian street with her Italian husband, dressed in an unmistakable and instantly recognisable purple and pink ziz-zag patterned psychedelic maxi, with her long, wavy tresses right up to her waist, and beautiful 1960s eyes. I was instantly transfixed by her beauty, which lay somewhere in between Verushka and Kate Moss, if there could ever be such a combination. That dress left such an impact on my impressionable mind that all I could think of was wanting the exact same one for my little self.
Fast forward to present day and I know now that that image was my initiation into fashion, and the brand I have come to love over the years for its nouveau-gypsy ways and stellar knits is Missoni. And now we can all make some room in our closets as the chic brand readies itself to hit India with a big bang in a couple of months at DLF Emporio, New Delhi. “Indian women are so sophisticated and fashionable. I know we have a lot of them who buy Missoni in places like London and Dubai, and we thought it would be perfect to get to know our buyers directly. Besides, we feel it is the right time for Missoni to expand,” says brand creative head Angela Missoni.
From Milan to India, Angela Missoni has come a long way in upholding the label’s 60-year strong core ideals and legacy established by her equally legendary parents Ottavio and Rosita Missoni. But it didn’t quite start the way her mother would have wanted it to. At 23, Angela, as strong-witted as her mother, marched up to Rosita to proclaim her love for, and intention to marry Marco Maccapani. And that is exactly what she did. “While it may look like I was born to be in fashion, it wasn’t quite so. I tried to keep as far away as possible. When I was younger, in my teens I assisted my mother in selling the
collection just to make pocket money. All along my priorities were to have a family and to take care of my kids,” she says. “I remember telling my father when I was pregnant with Teresa that fashion is not my thing. I went on to do several other things like work on an organic chicken farm and start a kindergarten.” But some things are just genetic. And just like that, as soon as her children were ready to leave the roost, she jumped into the business and was ready to fly into the world of fashion.
Since taking over as the creative head of Missoni’s women’s collection in 1997, Angela and the brand have enjoyed a renaissance the company hadn’t witnessed since it epitomised hippie-chic back in the 1970s. On being asked how she manages to achieve such success while retaining the brand’s original ideals, her response is honest: “Maybe it’s because I know Missoni by heart. I don’t need to go through the archives, I know the brand and gradually I can include in it other elements without fear. Perhaps what makes it easy is that I was born into this world.”
Doing things the big-hearted Italian way, Missoni India will enjoy ready-towear as well as accessories. Expect to find pieces from their fall line-up, including an urban wardrobe inspired by nature and woven out of wood, stone, fur, tree bark, and minerals. There will be separates with a plethora of coats, jackets, slim pants, pencil skirts, and knits. You could also head for some of the exceptional wrap-around stoles.
While most international brands that come to India usually leave out ready-to-wear garments, Angela feels something quite contrary. “India is very inspiring for any creative person. Apart from being visually rich, the people have an in-born understanding of good quality and craftsmanship. It’s a sophisticated market and I’m sure Indian women will love our collection.”
The brand’s foray into India may also see the launch of the Missoni home line in the months preceding the main launch. So, expect to be sucked into the Missoni universe in the months to come.
n