The story of Moschino and Moschino Couture 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 Couture bags, shirts, pants, jackets and other clothing on 1stDibs.
Moschino Couture Cut out Color Block Dress
By Moschino Couture
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous dress from Moschino Couture in black with off white trim. It is sleeveless with a V neckline, a waist cut out below it and a low cut back, all trimmed in off white. The d...
Y2K Moschino Couture! Cruise Me Baby Vintage One Shoulder Black Knit Dress
By Moschino Couture
Located in Sparks, NV
Simple and chic one shoulder little black dress by Moschino Couture! Details: Unlined Side Zip and Hook Closure Marked Size: I 42/ D 38/ F 38/ GB 10/ US 8 Color: Black Lab...
Moschino Couture Vintage Halter Dress with Sequin Peace Sign Back
By Moschino Couture, Moschino
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black silk halter dress from Moschino Couture. It is a wrap style dress which ties at the waist and has a band of gold sequins around the neck through to the back forming ...
Moschino Couture dress 'Jungle Red' by Jeremy Scott Winter 2021
By Moschino Couture, Jeremy Scott
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
MOSCHINO - 2021 Fall-Winter Couture 'Jungle Red' Collection under the artistic direction of Jeremy Scott. Black velvet bustier dress decorated with golden-metal charms and pink sati...
Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Spring 2022 Pink crepe dress
By Jeremy Scott, Moschino Couture
Located in CANNES, FR
Moschino Couture X Jeremy Scott Spring/Summer 2022 Collection Pink crepe strap dress featuring an animal print. Italian size 40.
Moschino dress 'Anime Antoinette' Couture by Jeremy Scott Winter 2020
By Moschino Couture, Jeremy Scott
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
MOSCHINO - 2020 Fall-Winter Couture "Anime Antoinette" Collection, under the artistic direction of Jeremy Scott. Pink velvet Marie-Antoinette dress. Bodice and skirt entirely embroi...
Jeremy Scott New Moschino Chocolate Bar Dress
By Moschino Couture, Jeremy Scott
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous chocolate brown jersey dress from the whimsical F/W 2014-2015 Collection of Jeremy Scott for Moschino Couture. It is a sleeveless...
Moschino Couture Dress with Hardware
By Moschino Couture, Moschino
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black light weight wool dress from Moschino Couture adorned with silver metal hardware of varying kinds. It is a sleeveless shift style dress with functional zippers at t...
Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Resort 2022 Printed egg dress
By Moschino Couture, Jeremy Scott
Located in CANNES, FR
Moschino Couture X Jeremy Scott Resort 2022 Collection Ecru silk crepe dress with black stripes and an egg print. Size 36.
Moschino Couture Black Mini Dress
By Moschino, Moschino Couture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Moschino black mini dress. Slight a-line silhouette. Winged collar. Deep v neck. Lace up bodice. Bishop sleeves with button cuffs. Two large p...
Vintage 1994 MOSCHINO COUTURE "WHAM" Patchwork Novelty Dress
By Moschino, Moschino Couture
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage 1994 MOSCHINO COUTURE "WHAM" Patchwork Novelty Dress Measurements taken laid flat, please double bust, waist and hips: Bust: 15.35 inches (39 cm...
Moschino Couture Safari Dress Pokes Fun at the Iconic YSL Safari Jacket
By Moschino Couture, Franco Moschino
Located in New Hope, PA
This rare and collectible Moschino Safari dress, designed by Jeremy Scott, was inspired by the Franco Moschino Survival jacket from the 1990's...
Moschino Couture Strapless Rosette Dress
By Moschino Couture
Located in Milano, Lombardia
A 1991 Moschino Couture strapless dress crafted in vibrant red fabric, featuring a sculpted boned bodice and soft draping that enhances the silhouette. The design is distinguished by...
Moschino Jeremy Scott Spring 2022 Look 30 Strapless multicolor dress
By Moschino Couture, Jeremy Scott
Located in CANNES, FR
Moschino x Jeremy Scott Spring/Summer 2022 Collection – Look 30 Sky-blue strapless dress featuring a multicolored animal print and piped trim. Size 38.
Black cocktail dress with embroideries flowers appliqué Moschino Couture!
By Moschino Couture
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black cocktail dress with embroideries flowers appliqué ( which are made with fabric, glass beads, thread and PVC) Main fabric composition: 64% tri-acetate, 36% polyester. Zip on t...
1990's Moschino Couture Strapless Neckties Bustier Mini Dress
By Moschino, Moschino Couture
Located in Concord, NC
Unique 1990's Moschino Couture whimsical vintage black strapless mini dress adorned with overlapping men's silk ties Concealed side zip closure Boned bustier top Strapless neckline M...
SS22 Moschino Couture, Child's Fantasy, Yellow Dress, Short Sleeves Birds Floral
By Moschino, Moschino Couture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
SS22 Moschino Couture, Child's Fantasy, Yellow Dress, Short Sleeves Birds Floral DESIGNER: Moschino CIRCA: 2010s STYLE: SS22 Moschino Couture, Child's Fantasy, ORIGIN: Italy MATER...
MOSCHINO COUTURE Cola Bustier Dress
By Moschino Couture, Moschino
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
MOSCHINO COUTURE Cola Bustier Dress Measurements taken laid flat, please double bust, waist and hips: Bust: 16.53 inches (42 cm) Waist: 14.96 inches (38 cm) Hips: 19.68 inches (50 c...
Moschino Rare Teddy Valley of the Dolls - Runway Dress
By Moschino Couture
Located in Iba, PH
Moschino RTW Spring 2017, Valley of the Dolls. One of Jeremy Scott's collection of life-size paper doll clothes. The trend has taken hold in a major way ...
Vintage MOSCHINO "CARTOON COUTURE" Medallion Trompe L'oeil Belted Black Dress
By Moschino, Moschino Couture
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage MOSCHINO "CARTOON COUTURE" Medallion Trompe L'oeil Belted Black Dress Measurements taken laid flat, please double bust, waist and hips: Bust: 17.32 inches (44 cm) Waist: 14....
Vintage MOSCHINO COUTURE Roman Centurion Gladiator Velvet Dress
By Moschino, Moschino Couture
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage MOSCHINO COUTURE Roman Centurion Gladiator Velvet Dress From 1989 Collection. Measurements taken laid flat, please double bust, waist and hips...
Moschino Couture 90's T42 Beaded teacup embroidered mini dresss
By Moschino Couture
Located in BELLEVUE HILL, NSW
An extremely rare & collectible early Moschino Couture piece, this sweet and sexy mini dress dates to the early 90's and bears all the hallmarks of Franco Moschino's characteristic w...
Printed cotton chemise -dress MOSCHINO COUTURE
By Moschino Couture
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Printed cotton shirt-dress. Hidden button closure and buttonhole on the middle front + on cuffs + one extra button provided . SIZE 44 (It) 10 (US)
Red sleeveless dress with zip MOSCHINO COUTURE New
By Moschino Couture
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Red sleeveless dress with zip. Main fabric composition: 64% tri-acetate. 36% polyester. Lining: 94% cupro, 6% elastane. Fabric Belt with buckle. Invisible zip closure on the left si...
Red sleeveless cocktail dress with cut-work MOSCHINO COUTURE New
By Moschino Couture
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Red sleeveless cocktail dress. Main fabric composition: 89% polyester, 11% polyurethane. Lining composition: 90% acetate, 5% elastane, 5% silk. Gros grain inside along the zip. Invis...
Black tank top cotton dress with writting and tulle ruffles MOSCHINO Couture NEW
By Moschino Couture
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black tank top cotton dress with writting and tulle ruffles edge. Main fabric composition: 97% cotton, 3% other fibers. 2nd fabric composition ( ribs probably) : 94% cotton, 6% elast...
Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Fall 2019 Dollar denim chemise dress
By Jeremy Scott, Moschino Couture
Located in CANNES, FR
Moschino Couture X Jeremy Scott Autumn/Winter 2019-2020 Collection Partially bleached denim shirt dress, adorned with golden metal dollar signs. Size 34.
Cocktail flower printed dress with belt Moschino Couture
By Moschino Couture
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Cocktail flower printed dress with belt buttoned in the middle front. The back of the belt is in orange leather. SIZE 40 (It) 36 (Fr) 6 (US)
Pink jersey wrapped dress with black vinyl details MOSCHINO COUTURE
By Moschino Couture
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Pink jersey wrapped dress with black vinyl details . Draped and wrapped on the front. Invisible zip on the side . Vinyl edge on the sleeve with buckle. SIZE 38 (Fr) M
Vintage MOSCHINO COUTURE Gift Bow Overlay Dress
By Moschino, Moschino Couture
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage MOSCHINO COUTURE Gift Bow Overlay Dress Measurements taken laid flat, please double bust and waist: Shoulder: 14.56 inches (37 cm) Bust: 17.32 inches (44 cm) Waist: 13.77 in...