Italian Style in the Miami Climate
The world of high fashion changed forever when the first Missoni garments hit the Florence runway in 1967. And now, the Missoni vision is poised to usher in another revolution, this time in the world of luxury housing. Missoni Baia, the forthcoming collection of Edgewater condos in Miami from OKO Group and the celebrated Italian fashion house, will be the architectural embodiment of the Missoni style, complete with items from the Missoni Home collection dotting the public areas. Here's a brief history of the Missoni family and the iconic aesthetic that bears their name.
The Missoni vision was born from a simple collaboration between newlyweds Ottavio and Rosita, who set up a knitwear business in Italy in 1953. The couple, inspired by innovations in weaving technology, began making clothes with multicolored zigzag patterns. And after a little trial and error, a new fashion statement was born. Missoni's soon-to-be-iconic style caused a scandal in 1967, when their models took to the runway in Florence without undergarments, cementing both the Missoni style and attitude in the zeitgeist. By the 1970s, Missoni's look had arrived in New York City and spread throughout the fashion world — it had become the height of cool-girl fashion.
Now, more than 50 years after the runway debut, the Missoni style has expanded from technicolor jumpsuits to a range of clothing, home decor, and, now, branded residences along the shores of Biscayne Bay. Design for the homes at Missoni Baia is being overseen by creative director Angela Missoni, whose vision has brought the fashion house into the 21st century with collaborations between Missoni and leading designers. The Missoni Baia team tapped Asymptote Architecture, Paris Forino Interior Design, and Enea Garden Design for the project, harnessing the experience and knowledge of these internationally renowned firms to help bring the Missoni vision to life.
The result is a collection of spacious homes with minimalist interiors and sweeping views that take full advantage of the Miami climate by offering plenty of private and communal outdoor space. Missoni's iconic bars of color grace the public areas, including swimming pools and the building's large private spa, while Enzo Enea's verdant landscaping puts residents in touch with the natural world right on the waterfront. When the tower is complete, it will stand as a unique testament to the enduring style of the Italian fashion house, and represent a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live inside the vibrant world of Missoni fashion.