Missoni opens new store at South Coast Plaza, Orange County

By

Chenu Alexis

Published
Mar 29, 2023

In 2012, Missoni closed its Rodeo Drive store. While the brand continued to be sold at Macy's, Neiman Marcus and specialty shops such as Just One Eye and The Webster, this is the first time the Italian house is returning to California, with a brand new space at the South Coast Plaza shopping center in Costa Mesa, Orange County. 

The new Missoni store covers a floorspace of 2475 square feet, already revealing its identity to the public in the facade design: the iconic zig-zag pattern that characterizes Missoni fabrics is cleverly conjured with colors, vertical metal elements and slashes of light that create dynamic energy, like a surface in movement. 

Inside the store lies a succession of walls that gently connect to each other, created partly in metal slats, partly with ceramic tiles with 3D zig-zag pattern, with the aim of creating a single continuous space. Around the entire perimeter, as a background detail, it is possible to identify the graphic texture of famous knitwear which has become the key feature of Missoni style.

“The zig-zag pattern is identifiable via 3D-style," added Missoni. “The architectural concept is to create a neutral environment wherein colors and fabrics of the clothing and accessories can stand out, without ever renouncing a certain level of characteristic style and refinement in the use and choice of materials and lighting. With an extremely condensed project, the new architectural concept speaks volumes about the world of Missoni, highlighting the product without ever overwhelming it.”

The store offers Missoni clothing and accessories collections for men and women. In addition, it also offers the Missoni Home collection, as well as Missoni watches, fragrances and glasses. 

Filippo Grazioli, the new creative director appointed in March 2022 to succeed Angela Missoni, who had been at the helm since 1997, is now in charge of the Missoni collections. Alberto Caliri is responsible for the interior design line. 
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Although the Italian brand no longer has a store in Los Angeles, its attachment to California remains strong. In 2020, just before the pandemic, the brand distinguished itself by organizing a fashion show for its M Missoni line on La Brea at Pink's Hot Dogs, an iconic place in Los Angeles. M Missoni, which doesn't exist anymore, also launched a collaboration with Los Angeles-based cannabis brand Pure Beauty at the same time to launch custom cannabis cigarettes.