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.
Rare! SS15 Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Barbie Black Pink High Heel Pumps 40 IT
By Jeremy Scott, Moschino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare! SS15 Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Barbie Black Pink High Heel Pumps 40 IT Additional Information: Material: Calfskin Color: Black/Pink Pattern: All Over Barbie Mos...
SS15 Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Barbie Black Pink Logo Flat Ballet Shoes 38.5
By Jeremy Scott, Moschino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
SS15 Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Barbie Black Pink Logo Flat Ballet Shoes 38.5 Additional Information: Material: Leather Color: Black/Baby Pink/White Pattern: All Over Barbie Moschino Logo Style: Ballet Flats Size: 38.5 EU / US 3.8 100% Authentic!!! Condition: Brand new in the original box Black, Pink and white leather Moschino round-toe barbie flats with logo print throughout and block heels. Includes box and dust bag. Crafted with calfskin leather in black, pink and white. All over logo Moschino print in the barbie font :) Heel aprox. 0.0625 Please note that the soles might have minor signs on them or price tag sticky notes...
SS15 Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Barbie Black Pink Logo Flat Ballet Shoes 37.5
By Jeremy Scott, Moschino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
SS15 Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Barbie Black Pink Logo Flat Ballet Shoes 37.5 Additional Information: Material: Leather Color: Black/Baby Pink/White Pattern: All Over Barbie Moschino Logo Style: Ballet Flats Size: 37.5 EU / US 7.5 100% Authentic!!! Condition: Brand new in the original box Black, Pink and white leather Moschino round-toe barbie flats with logo print throughout and block heels. Includes box and dust bag. Crafted with calfskin leather in black, pink and white. All over logo Moschino print in the barbie font :) Heel aprox. 0.0625 Please note that the soles might have minor signs on them or price tag sticky notes...
SS15 Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Barbie Black Pink Logo Flat Ballet Shoes 35
By Jeremy Scott, Moschino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
SS15 Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Barbie Black Pink Logo Flat Ballet Shoes 35 Additional Information: Material: Leather Color: Black/Baby Pink/White Pattern: All Over Barbie Moschino Logo Style: Ballet Flats Size: 35 EU / US 5 100% Authentic!!! Condition: Brand new in the original box Black, Pink and white leather Moschino round-toe barbie flats with logo print throughout and block heels. Includes box and dust bag. Crafted with calfskin leather in black, pink and white. All over logo Moschino print in the barbie font :) Heel aprox. 0.0625 Please note that the soles might have minor signs on them or price tag sticky notes...
SS23 Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Bugs Bunny Black Leather High Heels Pumps
By Jeremy Scott, Moschino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
SUPER RARE MOSCHINO COUTURE Bugs Bunny Black Leather High Heels Pumps SS23 collection by Jeremy Scott SUPER RARE AND SOLD OUT HEELS! 100% Authentic!!! Choose a size an...
SS23 Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Bugs Bunny Black Leather High Heels Pumps
By Moschino, Jeremy Scott
Located in Los Angeles, CA
SUPER RARE MOSCHINO COUTURE Bugs Bunny Black Leather High Heels Pumps SS23 collection by Jeremy Scott SUPER RARE AND SOLD OUT HEELS! 100% Authentic!!! Choose a size an...
Black Moschino Pointed-Toe Spellout Strap Mary Jane Pumps Size 37
By Moschino
Located in New York, NY
Black leather pointed-toe spellout strap Mary Jane pumps by Moschino. Elasticized straps. 3" heel height. Designer Size: 37 US Recommended Size: 7
Versace Medusa Pink Patent Leather Slingback Pumps Size 39
By Versace
Located in Woodland Hills, CA
Versace Medusa Pink Patent Leather Slingback Pumps Size 39 Elevate your style with these striking Versace Medusa slingback pumps in vibrant pink patent leather. These sophisticate...
Moschino Love 4.7 in Heels in Black
Located in Carnate, IT
Moschino Love 4.7 in Heels in Black Love Moschino heeled shoe. Suede size 39. Gold metal detail on the toe. Good general condition, shows only small ...
Valentino Garavani Tan-Go Barbie Pink Patent Leather Platform Pumps IT 38 NWOB
By Valentino Garavani
Located in San Diego, CA
Valentino Barbie Pink Tan-Go Platform Pumps - Patent Leather Size: IT 38 (approx US 8) The ultimate #Barbiecore statement these authentic Valentino Garavani Tan-Go platform pumps. ...
VERSACE Palazzo Medusa fuscia pink sling kitteh heel pointed toe pump EU36
By Donatella Versace, Versace
Located in Hong Kong, NT
VERSACE Palazzo Medusa fuscia pink sling kitteh heel pointed toe pump EU36 Reference: TGAS/C01776 Brand: Versace Designer: Donatella Versace Model: DST638H D2VE 1P660 Material: Leath...
VALENTINO Runway Discobox 180 hot pink patent platform ankle strap heels EU39
By Valentino, Pierpaolo Piccioli
Located in Hong Kong, NT
VALENTINO Runway Discobox 180 hot pink patent platform ankle strap heels EU39 Reference: AAWC/A00550 Brand: Valentino Designer: Pier Paolo Piccioli Model: Discobox 180 Collection: 20...
