The Moschino story 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 clothing on 1stDibs.
One name that all vintage experts agree is synonymous with camp is Franco Moschino. By the time he launched a diffusion line called Moschino Cheap and Chic, the late designer had already spent several years shocking and titillating the fashion elite with his whimsical, irreverent parodies of bourgeois finery.
The Moschino story 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 Cheap and Chic day dresses, skirts, pants and other clothing on 1stDibs.
Fall 1992 Documented DOLCE & GABBANA Black Mirror & Tassel Appliqué Velvet Vest
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Munich, DE
Oh! Jackie is delighted to offer this important and rare Fall 1992 Dolce & Gabbana appliquéd velvet vest. Indulge in the epitome of true vintage glamour with this runway, ad cam...
MOSCHINO COUTURE S/S 1992 Cruise me Baby "I Love Venice" Lion Appliquéd Jacket
By Moschino Couture
Located in Munich, DE
Early Moschino pieces designed by Franco Moschino himself – often referred to as Italian fashion's "enfant terrible" – within the short period when he launched the House of Moschino in 1983 until he passed away in 1994 are sought after and highly collectible. This treasure, like several others that are already available in my shop and more to be listed gradually, comes direct from a German socialite and fashion collector so has not been on the market prior to this. The stunning Moschino Couture jacket from S/S 1992 is part of Franco Moschino's coveted "Cruise me Baby" collection and a wearable collectors item that will only increase in value. Franco Moschino once said in a 1994 interview with British GQ: “Funny clothes have to be extremely well made because that is where you find the chic." This design is a perfect example of his outstanding skills. I am delighted to have found documentation of the jacket with a photo of a "Tribute to Venice" window display from February 1992 in the book about Moschino "X Anni di Kaos! 1983 1993". See the last picture. The spectacular jacket, inside and out, is a love letter to the city of Venice. It features colourful scenes of St. Mark's Square – the Doge's Palace, the Campanile, the two large granite columns, one surmounted by the iconic bronze winged lion sculpture and the other one by St. Theodore of Amasea – printed on the sleeves and the entire lining. How luxurious is that? The winged lion – the symbol of Venice – is worked through the whole piece. Appliquéd on both cuffs and prominently across the back of the jacket holding a book below its paw with the sentence "I ♡ VENICE" written in it. Below it a paper cut-esque silhouette of the city. On the front of the jacket you find two stylized gondola prows, another symbol of the Serenissima, that are not just ornamental but have a hidden meaning. To name just one, the metal lines correspond to the number of the Sestieri (districts) of Venice. The cropped open front design has a boxy silhouette, long sleeves and is accentuated with gold braiding. Sleeves and lining are done in a high-quality colourful printed silk twill, bodice in a cream acetate and rayon blend. I love the play of textures! Labeled "Moschino Couture! Cruise me Baby Made in Italy" and tagged a vintage IT 44, D 40, GB 12, USA 10. Excellent vintage condition. One yellowish spot at the back of the left sleeve cuff (see the picture before the label). Shoulders: 42 cm – 16.54" (seam to seam) Bust: 96 cm – 37.8" (under the arms from side seam to side seam) Sleeve length: 60 cm – 23.62" (measured from shoulder seam) Length: 43 cm – 16.93" (from neck to hem) Bust measurement is taken flat across from side seam to side seam and then DOUBLED. Modern Sizing Equivalent: S-M Reference Photo: Moschino Venice...
A/W 1988-89 Moschino Cheap & Chic Off-White Laurel Design Padded Jacket
By Moschino Cheap and Chic, Moschino
Located in Munich, DE
Early Moschino pieces designed by Franco Moschino himself – often referred to as Italian fashion's "enfant terrible" – within the short period when he launched the House of Moschino ...
S/S 1994 MOSCHINO COUTURE Roman Centurion Red White Brass Metal Ornaments Jacket
By Moschino Couture, Moschino
Located in Munich, DE
Early Moschino pieces designed by Franco Moschino himself – often referred to as Italian fashion's "enfant terrible" – within the short period when he launched the House of Moschino ...
MOSCHINO COUTURE Red Heart Buttons Jacket, 1980s/1990s
By Moschino Couture, Franco Moschino
Located in Munich, DE
Early Moschino pieces designed by Franco Moschino himself – often referred to as Italian fashion's "enfant terrible" – within the short period when he launched the House of Moschino ...
MOSCHINO COUTURE! Multi-Coloured Hand-Decorated Silk Bomber Jacket, S/S 1991
By Moschino, Moschino Couture
Located in Munich, DE
Early Moschino pieces designed by Franco Moschino himself – often referred to as Italian fashion's "enfant terrible" – within the short period when he launched the House of Moschino ...
