The Legendary Autobiography Of Italy Knitted King (Map)

Knitted King

Ottavio Missoni

The studio is full of photos, hand drawings, knitting patterns and horticultural books, standing at the window and overlooking the Alps.

Recently, this Italy

The king has welcomed his 90 birthday.

On the birthday, in addition to drinking happily, the old gentleman also received a big gift -- an autobiography "Una Vita Sul Filo Di Lana" (the life on the wool line) published by Paolo Scandaletti and Rizzoli publishing house. Besides the original edition of Italy, the English version is also about to come out.

In conjunction with

In an interview with the daily newspaper, the 90 year old Ottavio speaks out his legendary experience and perseverance, fearlessness and tranquillity, which has been placed in the depth of his soul and supported him.

Q: birthday is an important moment for people to assess their life.

Is that why you publish new books at this time?

A: I never used autobiography as a literary work.

I just wrote down my life story word by word, and then put them together for about a month and a half.

Do you believe it? Paolo Scandaletti, who wrote for me, wrote Galileo's biography, and Galileo's biography is actually easier than mine. In a word, I am a living in the present, never setting goals for myself, nor planning for the future.

I am very contented and never disappointed.

Q: during World War II, you were expelled from your hometown (zhalal City, Yugoslavia), participated in the battle of Alan, and had been a prisoner for several years in Egypt.

But you do not regard these experiences as suffering.

On the contrary, there is a light sense of humor between the lines of this autobiography.

What do you think is shaping your character?

A: I think most of human character is hereditary.

In this book, I have paid tribute to my mother many times.

She married from abroad, and my father was a naval captain sailing all over the world.

Now I understand that my mother has devoted her whole life to two children, and she cares nothing about it.

She was very quiet and peaceful, with a halo of madonna on her body.

Just like tooth decay, character is inheritable. I think I inherited her character.

I also hope that my child can inherit this kind of introversion and tranquility.

Q: you used to be a good runner.

It is important in your life, but it has also dragged you down.

Do you regret it?

A: not at all.

Without the bondage of school education, I freely chose my own way.

My experience, the words I read, my friends, and even my drunken bars are my schools.

I am a running talent, called "the son of Apollo".

At the age of 16, he entered the national team and still holds the world record for the 16 - year - old youngsters in the 400 metre race.

Exercise made me learn to be disciplined. It was a gift from God.

Q: what do you think of it?

How do you feel about the company you founded? You inherited your child.

How do you see it?

A: I got inspiration everywhere, magazines, women, streets, parties.

Everywhere.

Think of 1975, there are only 7 in Milan.

So it's a good thing for the fashion industry to open its doors to everyone.

As for my children, if they ask me for advice, I will mention it, but never interfere with them.

I never forced them to expand my career, but thankfully, they volunteered to stay in the company, and we all agreed that Missoni would always be a family business.

We do not have enough strength to build Missoni into a large group.

I often say to them, "of course you can build a one hundred thousand ton ship, but only if you have to drive it, and you have a team of excellent crew members."

I am proud of Missoni: it continues to be profitable, giving me satisfaction and maintaining good reputation.

Q: how do you deal with financial problems?

Sports jackets were sold at a loss, and things improved after that.

But we see that you never seem to be troubled by money.

A: it's about genetics.

There is anarchic blood flowing in my body. I do not want to be driven by others, nor want to be above others.

Money means independence to me.

My wife Rosita once said that she would be satisfied if she had eggs and vegetables. I totally agree.

Fashion and painting are also true to me.

I never deliberately flaunt fashion, just like I never follow the routines of painting. I draw only what I want to paint.

I never wanted to enter the fashion world, but I just rushed in.

The success of Missoni depends on word of mouth.

We create different products, some people say that they are pioneering works, some people say that they are revolution in the history of clothing, but it is because we have no routines and never care about rules.

It is always my nature to act in the opposite direction.