Missoni retrospective coming to London

Italian fashion house Missoni will be the subject of a major fashion exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum. The Missoni, Art, Colour exhibition, marks the first UK-based retrospective for the fashion label, and it is set to open on May 6.

The exhibition, which was originally held at the Ma*ga Art Museum in Italy’s Gallarate last year in partnership with Woolmark, explores the influence of 20th-century European art on the fashion and textile designs of Ottavio and Rosita Missoni, whose work was deeply rooted in modern art.

Missoni, Art, Colour will feature over 60 years of fashion alongside paintings by leading 20th-century European artists including Sonia Delaunay, Lucio Fontana and Lucio Severini, as well as previously unseen textile studies, paintings and Arazzi by Ottavio Missoni.

“The mix between fashion and art is always exciting, and this show highlights the important dialogue between post-war Italian artists, designers and industry,” said Celia Joicey, director of the Fashion and Textile Museum. “It is a privilege for the Fashion and Textile Museum to be the first overseas venue to host ‘Missoni, Art, Colour, reflecting London’s position as an international fashion city and cultural hub.”

Missoni announces first UK retrospective - Missoni, Art, Colour

Curated by Luciano Caramel, art critic and historian who served as commissioner of the Venice Biennale and the Rome Quadriennale, and overseen by Luca Missoni - son of the founders, brother of creative director Angela, and artistic director of the Missoni archive, the exhibition aims to showcase the creative process of Missoni, as well as its love affair with modern art.

Emma Zanella, director of Ma*ga Art Museum, said: "We are delighted that the Museum’s collection of Italian modern art will be shown in the UK for the first time. Gallarate is the city where Missoni started its activity in 1953 and presenting the exhibition in London is an opportunity to explore Italian art, fashion and textiles on an international stage.”

Luca Missoni, director of the Missoni Archive, added: “This exhibition is designed to showcase the creative process of knitting artwork into fashion forms. It is a great opportunity to rediscover the potential of our colourful heritage to make a unique, positive experience.

“I am pleased that The Woolmark Company will be our partner in bringing this exhibition to London. Wool is an essential ingredient in our work, so much so that wool has practically become a synonym for Missoni: Missoni, knit, wool; wool, knit, Missoni.”

The Missoni, Art, Colour exhibition will run from May 6 until September 4, 2016, at the Fashion and Textile Museum.

Image: Fashion and Textile Museum