Todd Oldham may wear many hats today as a creative, but he first made his mark on the world as the maximalist American fashion designer of the 1990s, during which he would become known for wildly playful runway shows and vibrant, adventurous evening dresses, skirts, jackets and other clothing.
Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, Oldham learned to sew at age nine. His first job after graduating high school was at Polo Ralph Lauren, where he worked in alterations. Then, after being fired — the teen’s punky personal style didn’t mesh well with the brand — he borrowed $100 from his parents, created a micro collection of his own and promptly sold it to Neiman Marcus before launching his own company with the department store’s lead buyer, Tony Longoria, who would become both his business and life partner. It was the meteoric start of a whirlwind career.
In 1990, the New York Times praised Oldham’s work (and that of his contemporary Christian Francis Roth) as “offbeat styles that bring wit and whimsy to the business of fashion.” Where major houses like Calvin Klein and Michael Kors went minimalist with their collections, Oldham went bold.
His style took on global inspiration. His family spent a few years during his childhood living in Iran, which introduced him to patterns, colors and materials not commonly used in America. So, for many of his collections, Oldham used over-the-top embellishments, rainbow hues, luxe materials and funky sewing techniques to create irreverent pieces that jibed with the zeitgeist of the ’90s. He even earned a gig on MTV, hosting a segment on the show House of Style that taught viewers how to make DIY clothing and accessories.
Then, in 1999, Oldman had had enough. He felt that it was time to explore other interests, so he closed up shop. Over the years, Oldham has designed furniture and created interiors and published books on influential shelter magazine Nest as well as modernist illustrator Charley Harper. But that’s not to say he doesn’t remember his fashion years fondly. Oldham and his studio collaborated with the Rhode Island School of Design on a retrospective of his fashion work in 2016 titled “All of Everything: Todd Oldham Fashion,” which toured the United States.
Find vintage Todd Oldham clothing on 1stDibs.
Todd Oldham Black Silk with Multi-Colors Stud Evening Vest
By Todd Oldham
Located in New York, NY
Todd Oldham fully lined black silk evening vest is studded with multi-colors of rhinestones held by gold hardware. Size 6, American. There are 8 buttons on front (two are missing...
TODD OLDHAM Vintage 1980s Size M Brown Blue Polyester Blend Patchwork Wood Grain T-Shirt
By Todd Oldham
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage TIMES SEVEN TODD OLDHAM 1980s t-shirt in a brown and blue polyester blend jersey featuring a patchwork wood grain print, short sleeves, and crew neck.Good Pre-Owned Condition...
Yohji Yamamoto Black Corset Top With Fringe And Decorative Stitching
By Yohji Yamamoto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection is pleased to offer this vintage Yohji Yamamoto black cotton corset top featuring a square neckline, decorative white and red stitching, and black fringe. * Yohji Yamam...
1950S PICASSO Multicolor Gold Lamé Men's Shirt Made From Sari Silk
By Pablo Picasso
Located in New York, NY
1950S PICASSO Multicolor Gold Lamé Men's Shirt Made From Sari Silk
1940S Oyster Grey Wool Gabardine Custom Made Western Shirt With Embroidered Sue
Located in New York, NY
very few tiny spots, no gross soiling, in very condition. 1940S Oyster Grey Wool Gabardine Custom Made Western Shirt With Embroidered Suede Fringe Yoke ...
$399Sale Price|33% Off
Size: 40
UNWORN Roberto Cavalli Animal Wild Cat Cheetah Print Silk Tunic Kaftan Belt 40
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Switzerland, CH
Dynamic prints are the calling card of Italian superbrand Roberto Cavalli and this loose silk-chiffon top is a fabulous way to work the look for summer. Pair this whisper-weight styl...
Chloé by Karl Lagerfeld 1970's Foam Structured Petal Detail Blouse
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chloe
Located in Berlin, BE
Chloé by Karl Lagerfeld 1970's petal detail blouse with foam structure Brand: Chloé Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Collection / Year: 1970's, presumably...
See-through stretch lace top CHRISTIAN LACROIX
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
See-through stretch lace top; Fabric composition: 85% nylon, 15% elastane. Zip closure on the middle front with branded zip puller. Branded snap closure on the pocket flap. Split on...
c. 1990's Thierry Mugler Couture Black Python Corset Rare
By Thierry Mugler Couture
Located in New York, NY
c. 1990's Thierry Mugler Couture Black Python Corset with Red Leather Inset Panel; Boned Bodice with Red Satin Lining; Python is Supple. US size 4
Gucci by Tom Ford S/S 1999 Runway Silk Cut-Out Top with Leather Straps IT42
By Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in Berlin, DE
An iconic and highly collectible runway top from Gucci Spring/Summer 1999, designed by Tom Ford at the height of his transformative tenure. Documented on the S/S 1999 runway, this p...
Dries van Noten Silk Print Top
By Dries van Noten
Located in London, GB
A head turning silk top by Dires van Noten . The front and sleaves are in a wonderful mix of print and colour. The back is black. Size 38 Measurements: Bust up to 40'', length 24''.
JOHN GALLIANO Black cotton-silk jacquard fabric blouse from the SS 2010 season
By John Galliano
Located in Milano, IT
51% cotton and 49% silk jacquard fabric blouse with stylized lotus flower motifs by John Galliano from the Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 collection. The neckline is gathered with ...
Chanel Vintage S/S 1993 Yellow Gray Tweed 93P Corset Top
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Rare and highly collectible Chanel corset top from the iconic Spring 1993 collection by Karl Lagerfeld. This exact style was worn on the runway by Karen ...
Rare and Vintage Fendi Mare - Zucca Monogram T-shirt
By Fendi
Located in Iba, PH
The FF capsule collection. Vintage 90’s Fendi Mare - Zucca Monogram T Shirt. Super soft and stretchy summer shirt. It Features iconic F monogram along with checker and striped print. The collection celebrates something very dear and represents so much of the house’s name. Lagerfeld designed the original FF logo in just five seconds. Initially intended to be used on the prints and silks that line fur coats – FF stood for “fun fur...
1990s Todd Oldham paint by numbers silk blouse
By Todd Oldham
Located in Austin, TX
1990s Todd Oldham paint by numbers silk blouse Condition: Very good Size M
1992 Todd Oldham beaded tie dye top
By Todd Oldham
Located in Austin, TX
1992 S/S TODD OLDHAM Multicolored Beaded Tie Dye Tee Condition: Excellent 40" bust, 38" waist, 41" hips, 26.5" length
1994 Todd Oldham Flame Tee Sheer
By Todd Oldham
Located in Austin, TX
1994 Todd Oldham sheer stretch flame tee. Condition: Excellent 100% polyester. Size Small Bust: 26", Waist: 26", Length: 17.5"
Todd Oldham New Abstract Pattern Striped Silk Shirt 1980s
By Todd Oldham
Located in Water Mill, NY
A whimsical silk shirt from Todd Oldham in brightly colored vertical stripes with an abstract shapes print in black. It is full cut with a shirt collar and pretty glass buttons in different colors along the center front. It has dropped shoulders and full cut French cuff sleeves with fabulous glass cuff links...
Todd Oldham Web Back T Shirt 1980s
By Todd Oldham
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black cotton t shirt from Todd Oldham. A simple short sleeve t shirt from the front but the back is an intricate silk cord spider web pattern. It slips on over the head ...
1980s Todd Oldham Vintage Horse Back Silk Shirt
By Todd Oldham
Located in Water Mill, NY
A great silk shirt from Todd Oldham. It has short sleeves and a shirt collar with copper coiled buttons up the front. The colors and patterns are signature Todd Oldham consisting o...
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Size: Small / Medium
1990s Todd Oldham Op Art Blue + White Vintage Sleeveless Cotton Rhinestone Top
By Todd Oldham
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare and amazing 90s TODD OLDHAM blue and white op-art sleeveless blouse! Features a hand painted cartoon character on the front with tiny dots th...
Todd Oldham Zig Zag Multi-Color Men's Snap-Front Shirt
By Todd Oldham
Located in New York, NY
Todd Oldham's wonderful multi-color zig-zag men's shirt has detailed silver hardware snap buttons, as well as two on each sleeve's cuff. Snaps is engraved with his signature logo. Th...