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 Franco Moschino jackets, skirts, pants and other clothing on 1stDibs.
1990's MOSCHINO Baroque Italian Heart Denim Jacket & Matching Mini Skirt Set
By Franco Moschino, Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
1990's MOSCHINO Baroque Italian Heart Denim Jacket & Mini Skirt Set A Flamboyantly chic 1990's example of Franco Moschino. Comprising a quilt-lined denim jacket with matching hig...
1990s Moschino Vintage Colourful Wallpaper Pattern Floral Paisley Jeans Trousers
By Franco Moschino, Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Vintage 1990's Moschino wallpaper / floral patterned trousers. High wasited fit with Moschino embossed gold tone hardware. Features: Zip fasten Classic x4 pocket design High waisted...
Rare 1990's Vintage Moschino Animal Photo Pet Print Pattern Silk Shirt Blouse
By Franco Moschino, Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Incredible Vintage 1990's Moschino pure silk shirt in a rare pattern depicting photographic images of household pets (Cats, Dogs, Rabbits etc.) MADE IN ITALY ! Features: Central li...
1990's Vintage Moschino Italians Do It Better Photo Collage Short Sleeved Shirt
By Franco Moschino, Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Vintage 1990's Moschino shirt, featuring short sleeves, buttons down the front and a vibrant photographic collage print depicting all things Italian as-well as bold Italian coloured ...
Archive Vintage Moschino Franco Pop Art Print Andy Warhol style Colourful Shirt
By Franco Moschino, Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Superb Vintage 1990's Moschino shirt inspired by the works of Andy Warhol, crafted from linen in pastel coloured shades depicting the faces of Franco Moschino. MADE IN ITALY ! Featu...
2000's Moschino Logo Pattern Spell out Halter Neck Cocktail Dress
By Franco Moschino, Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Incredible Vintage 2000's Moschino Cheap & Chic 'LOGO' print halter neck / fitted cocktail dress, in black with white repeat print all over. Features: Halter Neck style Fitted Body ...
Parakeet 1990's Green Spell out MOSCHINO high waisted Mom Jeans - Pants
By Franco Moschino, Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Parakeet Coloured 1990's Green Spell out 'MOSCHINO' high waisted Jeans with lettering down the leg, classic 4 pocket design and zip button closure. MADE IN ITALY. Measurements are gi...
Rare 1990's Moschino Supermarket Advertising Colourful Patterned Slogan Shirt
By Franco Moschino, Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Superb, Vintage 1990's Archival Patterned Moschino short sleeved Shirt, depicting loud and colourful printed supermarket advertisements throughout with 'Moschino Market' slogans. M...
Moschino CD Print 1990s Compact Disc Music pattern Black High waisted Shorts
By Franco Moschino, Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Moschino CD Print 1990s Compact Disc Music pattern Black High waisted Shorts MADE IN ITALY High waisted fit / Zip & Button Closure / Classic ...
1980s Franco Moschino Novelty CD and Tape Deck Reversible Jacket
By Franco Moschino
Located in London, GB
This is a rare, double-sided late 1980s novelty-print padded bomber jacket designed by the founder, Franco Moschino for Moschino Jeans. He established this range for women in 1986, ...
1997 Runway Moschino Scissor Pattern Blue & Gold Velvet Suit Jacket - Blazer
By Franco Moschino, Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Rare 1997 Runway, Vintage Moschino 'Cheap & Chic' Archival velvet scissor print suit jacket, in a Sky Blue and Gold Colour way. MADE IN ITALY ! (We also have the matching pants ava...
1990's Trompe l'oeil Moschino Linen Boucle Jacket
By Moschino, Franco Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Chic Vintage 1990's Moschino Cheap & Chic label Linen boucle style jacket with playful breast shaped panneling detail in a punctuation symbols pattern. MADE IN ITALY ! Features: C...
UK Garage Rave Vintage Moschino Spell Out White & Black Trousers jeans
By Franco Moschino, Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Iconic UK Garage Rave era Vintage Moschino 'Spell Out' Jeans in a Blue ombré colour way with repeat 'Moschino' pattern through out. MADE IN ITALY ! Feat...
1990's Vintage Moschino Graffiti Pattern Knot Tie Crop Top style Shirt Blouse
By Franco Moschino, Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Original Vintage 1990's Moschino knot tie fasten crop top, featuring Graffiti style pattern throughout, with references to Elvis Presley, Mickey Mouse, Superman & So on... MADE IN I...
Franco Moschino 1990s Vintage Women's Black Wool Cocktail Mini Dress
By Franco Moschino
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moschino Cheap and Chic black cocktail mini dress with large front bow. Moschino 1990's black sleeveless little cocktail dress with front bow detail. Fea...
1990's Vintage Moschino Leather & Dark Denim Double Breasted Spell Out Jacket
By Franco Moschino, Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Chic & Fun, Vintage 1990's leather and dark denim coat by MOSCHINO, featuring large Moschino lettering across the back, with a vibrant, thick monochrome quilted signature lining. M...
Moschino 1990's Vintage Baroque Frame Pattern Print High waisted Jeans
By Franco Moschino, Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Vintage 1990's Moschino high waisted jeans, decorated with Baroque frames and iconic Moschino imagery and well known art works. MADE IN ITALY ! Features: Gold tone metal hardware ...
1990's Vintage Moschino 'Franco' Print Blue Graphic Pattern Trousers Jeans
By Franco Moschino, Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Vintage 1990's Moschino 'Franco' print graphic hight waisted Jeans in a blue and white colourway, depicting a pattern of the face of Franco Moschino himself. MADE IN ITALY ! Featu...
1990's Vintage Moschino Colourful Floral Pattern Print Denim Jacket
By Franco Moschino, Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Vintage early 1990's Moschino Botanical / Floral patterned print denim jacket, with subtle 'Moschino' spell out print interlaced. MADE IN ITALY. Features: Breast pockets Central l...
Vintage 1990's Moschino Colourful Abstract Flower Pattern Short Sleeve Shirt
By Franco Moschino, Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Vintage 1990s Moschino colourful & bold floral patterned, short sleeved shirt. (Trousers are also available to purchase from our store seperatetly amongst many other coveted Vintage...
1989 MOSCHINO COUTURE Red I Love Venice Lion Appliquéd Jacket & Pant Suit
By Franco 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 in 1983 until he passed away in 1994 are sought after and highly collectible. This treasure, like several others that are already available in the shop comes direct from a German socialite and fashion collector so has not been on the market prior to this. Crafted in Italy, the exceptional and rare vintage Moschino Couture jacket and trousers suit is part of Franco Moschino's coveted Cruise Me Baby collection from 1989. When designing it Franco Moschino obviously had the Venetian flag...
$573Sale Price|30% Off
Moschino Cheap & Chic Black Gold Wool Jacket
By Franco Moschino
Located in Capri, IT
Moschino Cheap & Chic Black Gold Jacket Unique and really hard to find Moschino Black and gold written jacket totally made in italy in size 44 Compos...
Early 1990's Vintage Moschino I love Pattern Long sleeve Spell out Shirt
By Franco Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Early 1990's UK Garage Era 'MOSCHINO' repeat patterned Long sleeve Shirt, crafted from a printed rayon with red, blue & green wording. MADE IN ITALY. Features: Logo spell out p...
1997 Runway Moschino Scissor Pattern Blue & Gold Velvet Suit Trousers
By Franco Moschino, Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Iconic 1997 Runway, Vintage Moschino 'Cheap & Chic' velvet trousers, featuring Archival Moschino 'Scissor' print through out in a Sky Blue & Gold Colour way. MADE IN ITALY ! (We a...