Margherita Missoni
Margherita Missoni (born February 22, 1983) is an Italian fashion designer, model, and heiress of the Missoni family. Explore her journey from fashion muse and ambassador to creative director, her ventures, design philosophy, and legacy.
Introduction
Margherita Maccapani Missoni (born February 22, 1983) is an Italian designer, model, and socialite, widely known as the granddaughter and heir of the iconic Missoni fashion house.
Over the years, she has grown from being the face and ambassador of the brand into a designer in her own right—leading accessories, swimwear, and the diffusion line M Missoni, and eventually launching her own brand, Maccapani.
Her story is one of balancing legacy and personal expression—drawing from her family’s rich history while forging new creative paths.
Early Life and Family
Margherita was born in Italy as Margherita Maccapani Missoni. Ottavio “Tai” Missoni and Rosita Missoni (née Jelmini), founded the Missoni label in 1953, which became famous for its colorful knitwear, zigzag patterns, and graphical prints.
Her mother, Angela Missoni, has long served as the creative director of the Missoni house.
Her upbringing involved immersion in design sensibility, archive pieces, and exposure to the family’s creative ethos.
Education & Early Influences
Margherita pursued studies in philosophy at both the Università Statale di Milano and later at Columbia University in New York City.
During her time in New York, she also attended acting and theater training—studying at the Stella Adler acting school and the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute.
At one point, she encountered challenges transferring academic credits between systems, which contributed to her decision to explore theater more deeply.
Her theatrical interests led her to perform in Jean Genet’s The Maids in 2006.
Career and Achievements
From Ambassador to Designer
Margherita’s early roles in the fashion world were as ambassador and muse for Missoni. She appeared in campaigns and promote brand events, gradually becoming more involved behind the scenes.
By 2010, she became Accessories Director at Missoni, overseeing product lines such as bags, shoes, eyewear, and jewelry.
She also took charge of the beachwear / swimwear line from the 2010 season onward.
In October 2018, she was named Creative Director of M Missoni, the more youthful diffusion line of the brand.
She served in that role until 2021, when the company underwent reorganization during the COVID-19 era, and she departed the line.
Independent Ventures & Brand Maccapani
After stepping back from her role at M Missoni, Margherita launched her own label, Maccapani, named after her paternal family name.
Maccapani emphasizes Italian jersey fabrics, a blend of comfort and modern style with a feminine but gender-aware sensibility.
Her vision is to fuse legacy and forward thinking—drawing from the Missoni heritage of knit, texture, and pattern, while also creating work that reflects her personal aesthetic and lived experience.
Previously, she had also launched a children’s line under her own name, Margherita Kids.
Another notable collaboration was with Pottery Barn Kids (for home / decor items) that blended her bold, colorful sensibility with functional children’s design.
Awards & Recognition
In 2014, she was awarded the America Award from the Italy-USA Foundation for her contributions to strengthening ties between Italy and the U.S.
She is also frequently cited as one of the new generation fashion figures to watch, often featured in industry rankings and lists.
Style, Philosophy & Creative Identity
Margherita’s design voice is informed by:
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Heritage & archive: She draws on Missoni’s history of textured knits, bold colors, and pattern play as touchpoints, not limits.
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Comfort + utility: Her newer work tends to privilege jersey, stretch, and wearable fabrics that reflect contemporary life.
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Intimacy & personal narrative: Her approach often weaves in her personal history, spaces she inhabits, and the objects she collects.
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Failure as freedom: In interviews, she speaks about how embracing imperfection, letting go of expectations, and restarting has empowered her creative path.
Her shift from the family line to a more autonomous brand speaks to a desire for self-expression beyond legacy.
Personal Life
Margherita married Italian race car driver Eugenio Amos on June 23, 2012.
They have two sons: Otto Hermann Amos, born September 6, 2013, and Augusto, born May 15, 2015.
In 2022, she separated from Amos and entered a new relationship with Marcantonio Brandolini d’Adda.
She currently resides in Montonate (a suburb of Mornago, Italy), close to the Missoni headquarters, balancing her creative life with family and place.
Lessons & Legacy
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Heritage isn't a straightjacket
Margherita’s path shows that being born into a famous brand doesn’t mean you must replicate its exact language—rather, you can reinterpret its values. -
Creative reinvention is vital
Her pivot from Missoni lines to her own label reflects the importance of self-definition and evolution. -
Design and life intertwine
Her work is deeply tied to memory, place, objects, and experience, showing that design is not separate from life but is a continuation of it. -
Embrace imperfection & failure
She often speaks about the liberating potential of accepting “failure” as part of the process. -
Balance expression and responsibility
She negotiates the weight of family legacy while staking claim to her personal voice—a lesson for anyone working within inherited systems.