Angela Missoni is passionate.

Rewriting the rules of fashion. Bringing vibrancy and color to a beleaguered world. Leading a balanced life with family at the core. Bringing a stunning and innovative eyewear collection to market. Advocating for human rights.

With key ideals and areas of focus, she is both enthusiastic and serious at once. As the creative director and president of Missoni S.p.A., Missoni is driven by the vision her parents, Ottavio and Rosita Missoni, set off with their knitwear business founded in 1953 in Varese, Italy, which grew into a global luxury fashion giant known for its colorful prints, groundbreaking space-dying technique, and luxe designs.

Since taking on the company leadership in 1997, she has shifted Missoni in new directions that remain rooted in its heritage. A most recent endeavor is Missoni’s newly launched eyewear collection with Safilo, which is a gorgeous and technically innovative interpretation of the brand.

Notably, the collection features lusciously retro ’70s-style design inspirations, along with the technically stunning accent of classically Missoni fabrics embedded into the acetates and stylized as a graphic texture on lenses.

Here, Missoni shares her insights and passions with EB.

EB: How would you describe the heart + soul of Missoni?

ANGELA MISSONI: Missoni is a family company. It was founded in 1953 by my parents when they married. My mother always had [incredible style] and my father had talent for knitwear and color. He used to be a sportsman and competed in the Olympics in 1948—he started making knitwear to do track meets. Comfort is the mother and soul of Missoni.

EB: What was your parents’ vision for Missoni?

AM: They were revolutionary and never followed trends. They always made decisions outside of [the norm]. They built a factory in the countryside when all others were in Milan—quality of lifestyle was the first point of their life, always.

EB: Why is eyewear a natural progression now with Safilo?

AM: We really share the same values…and a great heritage. We have become a lifestyle brand, and how can you live without eyewear? It’s one of the first accessories—you need it to finish your look.

EB: How is the DNA of Missoni evident in the new collection?

AM: It has very recognizable symbols of the Missoni DNA— lightness and transparency and the textures and colors that we translated in the frames. We have very special Missoni fabrics—and certain yarns—[embedded] inside the acetates.

EB: Which styles stand out for you?

AM: One of my favorites is the square ’70s shape with Missoni fabric [at right, worn by Missoni]—I used it in the Spring/Summer ’20 show collection. Also, there is a cat-eye in acetate with big temples and hand-painted enamel details on the hinges. There is also a style with the interesting detail of a silk tie as an accessory on the frame [the MIS 0041/N/S, shown on our cover].

EB: What are the key trends for SS21?

AM: In general, the clothing has a very sleek silhouette, long and lean, it’s close to the body but very feminine, comfortable, and simple—we are all at ease and will be for a long time.

EB: Please tell us about your inspiring work in human rights.

AM: I am a very passionate person, and I will always fight for human rights and women’s empowerment. I grew up in a very advanced family and realized that fashion—it gives you a voice, and when you have a loud voice you have to use it. Today, everybody has to help people next door. Everyone is suffering and we have to get through it together.