The story of Moschino and Moschino Couture begins in the early 1980s, when Franco Moschino (1950–94), a freelance magazine illustrator and Gianni Versace collaborator, founded a label in Italy whose ethos was all about having fun.
Moschino initially pursued a degree in painting at Milan's Brera Academy of Fine Arts during the late 1960s, turning to freelance illustration to help pay his way through school. He found inspiration in Pop art, Dadaism and bold graphics. During the 1970s, he began to work for Gianni Versace’s now-legendary house as a sketcher and freelanced as a clothing designer with other fashion labels. In 1983, encouraged by Versace, he launched his own extravagant and excessive couture collection.
Moschino's expertly tailored, vibrant designs for casual wear and more, each adorned with loud, playful details, spoofed the chic high fashion of the day, and Franco's close relationship with fine art — as well as his eye for innovation — welcomed comparisons to Elsa Schiaparelli over the years. The label’s work essentially mocked the industry even as its hand fed Moschino, with the founder emblazoning shirts with slogans such as “Good taste doesn’t exist” or embroidering jackets with the phrase “Waist of money,” while the theatrical shows were positioned with an undercurrent of critique.
Today, the Metropolitan Museum of Art holds two vintage Moschino handbags in its collection: one shaped like a milk carton and the other an iron.
“Under all the surface witticisms, [Moschino] had a serious knack for running class pieces through a wringer of irony or Surrealism,” observed Vogue. “Chanel-isms were his favorite trope, though he also poked fun at Jean Paul Gaultier’s lingerie dressing and put out pasta bags in a parody of the Prada accessories craze.”
Accessories, jeans and the first men’s collection were presented at the Regal Palace in Milan in 1985, with his Moschino Jeans womenswear collection following in 1986. Then Moschino released Moschino for Women, its first fragrance, the next year in Europe.
In 1988, long before brands had considered the concept of a spin-off, Moschino bowed its cheeky diffusion line for men and women, Moschino Cheap and Chic, during the shows in Milan. The label thrived, adding its first stores in Italy and campaigning for eco-friendly fur. Its retrospective-slash-fashion show “X Years of Kaos” in the early 1990s benefited a children’s AIDS organization.
After Moschino’s untimely death at the age of 44 from AIDS complications, Rossella Jardini, his longtime friend and colleague, took the reins. She carried the torch for nearly 20 years, adding eyewear, watches and jewelry. American designer Jeremy Scott was named creative director in 2013.
Scott, who grew up on a farm and once unveiled a collection of evening dresses charred with burn marks, imbues all his work with a message of inclusion, be it his Fast Food collection in 2014 (hot dog dress included) or Moschino Barbie.
“I don’t care if the critics don’t like me,” Scott told Vogue. “I want to be the people’s designer, like Diana was the people’s princess.”
Find vintage Moschino Couture bags, shirts, pants, jackets and other clothing on 1stDibs.
Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Spring 2020 Look 72 Smoking sequined jacket
By Jeremy Scott, Moschino Couture
Located in CANNES, FR
Moschino Couture X Jeremy Scott Spring/Summer 2020 Menswear Collection – Look 72 Silver sequined "Rock N Roll" tuxedo jacket with black trim. Size 34.
Moschino Couture Cotton Logo Printed T-Shirt
By Moschino Couture
Located in London, GB
Brand New - Moschino Couture Cotton Logo Printed T-Shirt Black, cotton t-shirt designed with a 'MOSCHINO MILANO' wording to the front with a two overlapping, inverted question marks...
Moschino Couture Suede Fringe Skirt & Jacket Set
By Moschino Couture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unleash your inner wild west with this boldly designed Moschino Couture Suede Fringe Skirt & Jacket Set. Crafted from lightweight suede, this 2 piece set features daring fringe and i...
A Vintage 1990s grey button up dice button detail jacket by Moschino Couture
By Moschino Couture
Located in London, GB
A chic jacket by Moschino Couture. The jacket is in a black and white wool fabric with a red lining. The jacket has a pocket at breast leval on the left hand side, and two pockets o...
Red sleeveless dress with zip MOSCHINO COUTURE New
By Moschino Couture
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Red sleeveless dress with zip. Main fabric composition: 64% tri-acetate. 36% polyester. Lining: 94% cupro, 6% elastane. Fabric Belt with buckle. Invisible zip closure on the left si...
Moschino 'Couture' Tan Merino Wool /Metallic Gold Lame Woven Pullover
By Moschino Couture
Located in New York, NY
Moschino 'Couture' tan merino wool woven with metallic gold lame and accented with woven gold lame in both front and back. Turtle neck measures 5 1/2" in height and circumference is ...
$936Sale Price|26% Off
Moschino Couture Ivory Star Pattern Asymmetric Silk Shirt
By Moschino Couture, Moschino
Located in Sheung Wan, HK
- Vintage 90s Moschino Couture ivory star pattern asymmetric silk shirt. One side of the shirt is short sleeve and no button fastening with extra fabric. The other side is featuring ...
Iconic MOSCHINO Couture Dollar Sign Ensembe Black Dress Jacket Gold Chain Set
By Jeremy Scott, Moschino Couture
Located in Berlin, BE
$$$ MOSCHINO Couture $$$ Absolutely amazing two piece ensemble: black dress and jacket with heavy high quality gold coloured metal Dollar Signs and chain details. Super iconic and f...
Moschino Couture patchwork wool blazer jacket and pants suit, ss 1994
By Moschino, Moschino Couture
Located in London, GB
▪ Moschino Couture wool pantsuit ▪ Made from a patchwork of various fabrics including a Burberry Nova check inspired wool ▪ Singled breasted blazer jack...
Vintage MOSCHINO COUTURE Gift Bow Overlay Dress
By Moschino, Moschino Couture
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage MOSCHINO COUTURE Gift Bow Overlay Dress Measurements taken laid flat, please double bust and waist: Shoulder: 14.56 inches (37 cm) Bust: 17.32 inches (44 cm) Waist: 13.77 in...
1990s Moschino Couture Novelty Belt Skirt
By Moschino Couture
Located in London, GB
This late 1980s or early 1990s Moschino Couture novelty skirt is adorned with a gold embroidered chain with a medallion on the hip that reads "Cartoon Co...
Moschino Couture Orange Moire Silk & Black Lace Trim Dress
By Moschino Couture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage orange Moschino Couture by Franco Moschino cotton rayon blend mini dress: featuring moire faille fabric, black lace trim, and cente...
Vintage RARE COUTURE VIP Black Dress
By Moschino Couture
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage RARE COUTURE VIP Black Dress Measurements taken laid flat, please double bust, waist and hips: Shoulder: 13.5 inches Bust: 18 inches Waist: 14.5 ...
Vintage MOSCHINO Rhinestone Studded Figural Novelty Blazer Jacket
By Moschino, Moschino Couture
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage MOSCHINO Rhinestone Studded Figural Novelty Blazer Jacket Measurements taken laid flat: Shoulder: 17 inches (43.18 cms) Sleeves: 21 4/8 inches (54.61 cms) Bust: 38 inches (9...
Vintage Moschino Couture Navy & Red Big Dot Dress
By Moschino Couture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage navy and red Moschino Couture by Franco Moschino rayon blend shift mini dress: featuring navy and red insets, "Sorry, these dots ar...
MOSCHINO Upside Down Collar Passementerie Pompom Question Mark Blazer Jacket
By Moschino, Moschino Couture
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage MOSCHINO COUTURE Upside Down Collar Passementerie Pompom Question Mark Blazer Jacket Measurements taken laid flat, please double bust and waist: Shoulder: 16.53 inches (42 c...