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 Orange Sun and Moon Pattern Button down Mini Skirt
By Franco Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
A Fun 1990's Vintage MOSCHINO Button down Mini Skirt in an Orange Sun and Moon print. Featuring a high waisted fit, Gold decorative buttons down the f...
Vintage Moschino 1990's Fun Yellow & Black Shadow Print Mini Pencil skirt
By Moschino Cheap and Chic, Franco Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
A Fun 1990's Yellow & Black Pencil skirt by MOSCHINO's Cheap & Chic Label ! Featuring a shadow silhouette print, high waisted fit and above the knee length hem. The dress clo...
Moschino 1990's Vintage Blue Bandana Print Wrap around Mini Skirt
By Moschino, Franco Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Cool Vintage 1990's Moschino wrap around Mini skirt, in a classic blue & cream traditional Bandana style pattern. MADE IN ITALY Features: Adjustable fit Back pockets 100% Cotton S...
1980's Moschino Black Leather Pencil Skirt with Gold Thimble decoration Tassels
By Moschino Cheap and Chic, Franco Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
A 1980's MOSCHINO Cheap & Chic Black Leather Pencil Skirt with Gold Thimble decoration Tassels around the hem and 2 zip pockets at the waist. The skirt has an additional spare thimbl...
Vintage 1990's Moschino Monochrome Art Gallery Print High Waisted Cotton Skirt
By Franco Moschino, Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Vintage 1990's Moschino monochrome Skirt in a Fabulous Artistic pattern, depicting images of iconic museum artworks and other Moschino iconography. MADE IN ITALY ! Features: High ...
Dusty Pink 90s MOSCHINO Italian Antique Pattern etching Denim Skirt
By Moschino, Franco Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Incredible Franco Moschino 1990’s Denim skirt in a dusty pink print depicting antique scenes of Rome and Florence aswell as Leonardo’s last super. Features high waisted fit, Classic...
1990's Moschino Digital Pixelated Blue Satin A Line Digital pattern Mini Skirt
By Moschino, Franco Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Vintage 1990's Moschino Jeans Skirt featuring a high waisted A line mini fit, in a pixelated blue digital printed satin. MADE IN ITALY! Features: A Line design Concealed zip up si...
Apricot 1990s Vintage MOSCHINO High Waisted Denim Floral Pencil Mini Skirt 27"
By Franco Moschino, Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
A Vintage 1990's 'Moschino jeans' high waisted denim pencil skirt, featuring an apricot coloured floral Peony allover print. MADE IN ITALY. Features: Zip fasten closure / Press stud...
Rare 1990's Moschino Question Mark ? Avant Guard Black Pencil Mini Mini Skirt
By Franco Moschino, Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Impeccable, instantly recognisable 1990's Moschino 'Cheap & Chic' label 'Question Mark' appliqué skirt, featuring a high waisted pencil fit with above the knee length hem. MADE IN I...
Y2k iconic 2000's Vintage Moschino 'Alphabet' Pattern Spell Out Mini Skirt
By Moschino, Franco Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Iconic Vintage 2000's Moschino 'Alphabet' patterned spell out mini skirt in black with white ABC print all over. MADE IN ITALY. Features: Side zip fasten A line shape Above the Kn...
Vintage Moschino 1990's 'Off Key' Print High waisted Logo-mania Mini Skirt
By Franco Moschino, Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Vintage 1990's Navy blue & white Moschino 'Off Key' printed mini skirt. MADE IN ITALY Features: Elasticated waist band Bottom skimming hem Made in Italy 92% Cotton / 8% Lycra...
Moschino 1990s Trompe l’œil Grey Denim Multi pocket fun Avant Guard Pencil Skirt
By Moschino, Franco Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Unique and Interestingly constructed early 1990s Moschino Grey denim pencil skirt with multi pocket design reverse. Size; 26 inch waist Waist; 26” Hip; 36” Length; 20” MADE IN ITALY....
1990's Vintage Moschino Punctuation Symbol Cheap and Chic Cream Mini Skirt
By Moschino, Franco Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
1990's Vintage Moschino 'Cheap & Chic' label high waisted pencil skirt in a cream and brown colour way with a typical Franco Moschino style punctuation allover print ! MADE IN ITALY...
Iconic 1990s Cheap & Chic Moschino Barcode Stripe Denim Pencil Mini Skirt w26"
By Moschino Cheap and Chic, Franco Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Iconic 1990's Moschino 'Cheap & Chic' label Barcode striped denim skirt, featuring a high waisted pencil fit with above the knee length hem. MADE IN ITALY Features: zip / button clos...
Moschino 90's Cheap & Chic Woven Knitted Colourful Rainbow Pencil Skirt
By Franco Moschino, Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Fun Vintage early 1990's Moschino 'Cheap & Chic' colourful woven knitted pencil skirt. MADE IN ITALY ! Features: High waisted fit Stretchy knitted fabric 'Moschino Cheap & Chic' S...
1990's Vintage Moschino Sacred Heart Baroque Pattern Mini Skirt
By Moschino, Franco Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Chic Vintage early 1990's Moschino 'Sacred Heart' pattern rococo style, high waisted mini skirt with repeated spell out print through out. MADE IN ITALY...
Moschino Black Leather Mirror Skirt, Circa 1990
By Franco Moschino, Moschino
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Moschino pebbled leather skirt. High waist. Pencil silhouette. Small mirror tiles around the hem. Back zip closure with snap button at waist. ✩ This skirt is an amazing and rare ...
Chanel Charcoal Wool Kick Pleat Front Pocket Pencil Skirt Vintage
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chanel charcoal wool kick pleat front, curved hip front pocket, pencil skirt. 1990s dark charcoal wool skirt has a narrow band waist, the skirt closes at the side with a bar hook at ...
Christian Dior by Galliano 2004 Rasta Mania skirt size 38
By John Galliano, Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
Christian Dior 2004 rasta collection 'Mania' skirt. Alternate print from the famed rasta collection. The print uses rasta iconography like the lion and a man with dreads. And of c...
Moschino Silk Color Block Maxi Skirt
By Moschino, Moschino Cheap and Chic
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous patchwork silk skirt in greens, pinks, red and brown from Moschino. It is work intensive with dozens of 1 1/2 X 1 1/2" squares joined together forming the front of the sk...
1970S Yellow, Red Multicolored Poly/Lurex Knit Long Skirt
Located in New York, NY
1970S Yellow, Red Multicolored Poly/Lurex Knit Long Skirt
Junya Watanabe Comme des Garçons Nylon Fishtail Skirt
By Junya Watanabe Comme des Garçons
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Orange, Red and Yellow Color Block Nylon Puffy Fishtail Skirt from Junya Watanabe Comme des Garçons featuring a fitted silhouette and invisible zipper a...
Vintage Ralph Lauren 1990s Blue + White Floral Print 90s Cotton Midi Skirt
By Ralph Lauren
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic classic vintage ( early 90s does 50s ) RALPH LAUREN blue and white floral print cotton high waisted midi skirt. Features white button...
Gianni Versace Mixed Flower Print Silk Skirt 1980s
By Gianni Versace
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous brightly colored flowered silk skirt from Gianni Versace. It has a 2" waistband, falls straight to the hem with a panel draping across the front and is comprised of diffe...
Vintage Dolce & Gabbana Blue Jean 1990s High Waisted 90s Bodcon Pencil Skirt
By D&G by DOLCE & GABBANA, Dolce & Gabbana
Located in San Diego, CA
Iconic and sexy late 90s / early 2000s DOLCE & GABBANA blue jean denim high waisted bodycon pencil skirt. Features a gold logo embossed buckle attached to black leather straps. Butto...
Size: 40
John Galliano New Shorts Skirt
By John Galliano
Located in Water Mill, NY
Beautiful white shorts/skirt from John Galliano. They have a waistband, a cuffed hem, draped side pockets and a front zipper closing. Fits sizes Small, Medium. Marked Italian size...
Size: S, M
Sybil Connolly Linen Maxi Skirt 1960s
By Sybil Connolly
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous maxi skirt made of Sybil Connolly’s trademark Irish handkerchief linen in a labor intensive process of hand pleating yards of fine linen into a yard of fabric...
Emilio Pucci Womens Mosaic Mini Skirt IT 36 Double Zip Red Yellow Viscose Blend
By Emilio Pucci
Located in Miami, FL
- Red, black, blue exterior - Tagged size 36 in the brand - No fabric tag but made out of 46% viscose 27% cotton 22% wool 5% other fibers - 100% silk lining Condition: The sk...
1990s Thierry Mugler Light Blue Sheer Pleated Silk Skirt Short Combo 42FR
By Thierry Mugler
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Thierry Mugler skirt from the 1990s is cut in a full, pleated silhouette in sheer light blue silk. It features a high waistband with a button and side zip closure, and an interi...
Iconic 90's Moschino Casino Print Vegas style Patterned satin Mini Skirt
By Moschino, Franco Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Iconic Vintage 1990's Moschino 'CASINO' print Mini skirt in a fabulous, colourful Las Vegas style pattern ! MADE IN ITALY ! (We also have the Matching jacket available to purchase...
y2k 2000's Vintage Moschino 'Pierre Lecomte' Scenery Painting Tactical Skirt
By Moschino, Franco Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Vintage 2000's Moschino asymmetric skirt, featuring a high waisted fit with corset style lace up side detail, depicting a beautiful scenic artwork by Artist Pierre LeComte. MADE IN ...
1990's Vintage Moschino 'Cloud' Print High waisted Pleated Tennis Mini Skirt
By Moschino, Franco Moschino
Located in Sheffield, GB
Superb Vintage Moschino 1990's high waisted Cloud print denim pleated mini-skirt. MADE IN ITALY ! Features: Side Zip Fasten closure x2 front pocket design High Waisted fit Pleated ...
Moschino Vintage Embroidered Skirt from Moschino Collector’s Archive Size 6-8
By Franco Moschino, Moschino
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This piece is truly a collectors dream and should be in the Moschino museum in Milan. This piece was designed by Franco Moschino (1950-1994) while he was still alive for the house. It’s just a wonderful example of his whimsical fantasy...