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.
SS21 Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Black Leather Mini Shopper Shoulder Bag Logo
By Moschino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
ONLY ONE IS AVAILABLE! WEAR IT AS A SHOULDER BAG OR AS A BUCKET BAG! MOSCHINO COUTURE Black Leather Mini Shopper / Shoulder Bag with White Logo MSRP $790 SS21 Collection by ...
SS23 MOSCHINO Couture Jeremy Scott Black Heart Lock Patent Leather Top Handbag
By Moschino, Jeremy Scott
Located in Los Angeles, CA
*Deadstock Rare item!* MOSCHINO COUTURE Black Heart Lock Patent Leather Top Handbag SS23 Collection by Jeremy Scott MSRP $1020+tax! SUPER CUTE! 100% Authentic!!! Conditio...
AW22 MOSCHINO Couture Jeremy Scott Black Vertical Logo Leather Shoulder Bag
By Jeremy Scott, Moschino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
*Awesome Out Of Stock Item!* MOSCHINO COUTURE Black Vertical Logo Leather Shoulder Bag AW22 collection by Jeremy Scott MSRP $1,800+tax! SUPER CUTE! 100% Authentic!!! C...
AW20 Moschino Couture Mini Leather Black Backpack/Keychain/Belt Bag/Shoulder Bag
By Moschino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
AW20 Moschino Couture Mini Leather Black Backpack/keychain/belt bag/shoulder bag Additional Information: Material: Leather Color: Black, Gold Size: Mini Style: Shoulder Bag Dimensio...
Moschino Couture, Jeremy Scott, Black, Box Purse, w/ Bronze, Antique Hardware
By Jeremy Scott, Moschino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
AW22 Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Black Box Purse w/ Bronze Antique Hardware DESIGNER: Jeremy Scott CIRCA: 2010s STYLE: AW22 Moschino Antique Hardware Top Handle Bag MATERIALS: Leather MEASUREMENT: Length 3.5, Height 4.5, Width 6.5, Depth 4 CONDITION: New with Tags *ONLY ONE IS AVAILABLE* *BEAUTIFUL & UNIQUE COLLECTIBLE DEADSTOCK PIECE* MOSCHINO COUTURE Rectangle Box Handle Top Purse with Bronze Antique-like Hardware AW22 collection by Jeremy Scott Rare and Highly Sought After Collector's Item SOLD OUT EVERYWHERE AND IMPOSSIBLE TO GET! SUPER RARE AND SUPER CUTE! 100% Authentic!!! Condition: Brand new with tags Color: Black Pattern: Solid Measurements: Length 3.5, Height 4.5, Width 6.5, Depth 4 Features : Jewelry-box-inspired handbag Hard-sided construction Ornate antique-inspired handle Decorative vintage lock plate Embossed black exterior Gray lined interior Hinged lid Statement collectible design This type of design is often described as a box bag, top-handle box purse, trunk bag, hard-case handbag, or jewelry-box-inspired handbag. It blends the appearance of an antique keepsake box...
SS22 MOSCHINO Couture Jeremy Scott Chocolate Dripping Trapeze Handbag Rare
By Jeremy Scott, Moschino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
*Awesome Out Of Stock Item!* MOSCHINO COUTURE Chocolate Dripping Trapeze Handbag SS22 collection by Jeremy Scott MSRP $1,275+tax! SUPER CUTE! 100% Authentic!!! Condition:...
Franco Moschino Vintage 1987 Black Patent Leather Clutch Bag, Unisex
By Franco Moschino
Located in Aci Castello, IT
An Iconic "Mi 1987" Vintage Black Patent Leather Clutch Bag by Franco Moschino Own a piece of fashion history with this rare and highly collectible "Mi 1987" clutch bag, a quintessen...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN F/W 2009 Black Crinkled Patent Leather Large Trash Bag Clutch
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
ALEXANDER McQUEEN F/W 2009 Black Crinkled Patent Leather Large Trash Bag Clutch RARE Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Circa: F/W 2009 Designer: Alexander McQueen Style: Oversized Clutch Bag Color(s): Exterior: Black. Interior: Red Lined: Yes Unmarked Fabric Content (feel of): Leather (exterior); Twill fabric (interior); Metal (hardware) Additional Details / Inclusions: Alexander McQueen F/W 2009 "The Horn of Plenty" runway collection. Black crinkled patent leather material; designed to mimic the look and feel of a trash bag. Oversized leather clutch...
Fendi Borsa Mini B Black Patent Leather Handbag
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Fendi Borsa Mini B Black Patent Leather Handbag in excellent condition. Black patent leather exterior trimmed with orange topstitching and adjustable buckl...
Ralph Lauren Spring 2007 Ricky Black Patent Leather Sac Mallette Hand Bag
By Ralph Lauren
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Ralph Lauren Runway Sprng 2007 Ricky black patent leather Sac Mallette, top handle, handbag with silver hardware. Seen on the runway in black leather, the patent was a popular variat...
Burberry Black Patent Leather Buckle Hobo Shoulder Bag
By Burberry
Located in Amman, JO
Burberry Black Patent Leather Buckle Hobo Shoulder Bag Elevate your everyday wardrobe with this authentic Burberry Black Patent Leather Hobo Shoulder Bag. Crafted from glossy patent...
Black patent leather shoulder bag ROGER VIVIER
By Roger Vivier
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black patent leather shoulder bag. Snap closure under the flap with silver hardware decorative buckle. One flat pocket under the flap and one flat pocket on the back of the bag. Bran...
