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 Trompe L'oeil Brick Print Dress 1990s
By Moschino Couture
Located in Water Mill, NY
A clever simple sleeveless dress from Moschino Couture in a Trompe l'oeil brick print. It is sleeveless, with a crew neckline and is covered in the brick print. It is fully lined an...
Moschino Couture by Jeremy Scott S/S Sharpie Dress, 2019
By Moschino Couture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Moschino Couture by Jeremy Scott from Spring Summer 2019. Features a black and white sequined pattern with what appears to be "Sharpie sketch" style pink and white sketch detailing, ...
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...
Moschino Couture! S/S RTW Rare Color Block Shop Tag Dress, 1996
By Moschino Couture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare Moschino Couture dress from the Spring 1996 Ready-To-Wear collection. Classic color-blocking with a sprinkling of kitsch. The off-white scoop neck bodice is met just above the...
Moschino Couture Dress with Question Mark Collar A/W 1998
By Moschino, Moschino Couture
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black dress encircled around it's V neckline with an off white question mark with the dot of the question mark dangling cleverly below it. The dress has 3/4 length sleeve...
Moschino Couture Embroidered Words Top and Skirt
By Moschino Couture, Moschino
Located in Water Mill, NY
An extraordinary skirt and top set from Moschino Couture in grey with a touch of green jersey. They are simple pieces with intricate detailed at the front and back hemlines comprised...
Moschino Jeremy Scott Resort 2018 Look 80 sequined dress
By Moschino Couture, Jeremy Scott
Located in CANNES, FR
Moschino Couture X Jeremy Scott Resort 2018 Collection - Look 80 Multicolored sequined halter-neck dress with flame embellishment. Size 38.
Moschino Couture 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 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 Runway Corset Tux Jumpsuit Holiday Dressing! NWT
By Moschino Couture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Moschino Couture jumpsuit specially designed with dramatic exciting eye catching presence! Ruched rich rose magenta silk bodice with fine black wool tux style trousers. Boned bodic...
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...
Black sequin cocktail dress " In Love we trust " MOSCHINO COUTURE
By Moschino Couture
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black sequin cocktail dress " In Love we trust " . Main fabric composition: PVC on nylon base. Lining composition: 83% acetate, 17% silk. Shoulder pad. Zip closure on the middle bac...
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 ...
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...
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...
"Bondage" printed cocktail dress MOSCHINO COUTURE
By Moschino Couture
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
"Bondage" printed cocktail dress. Main fabric composition: 100% polyester. Lining composition: 100% rayon. Invisible zip and hook&eye closure on the left side. Button and buttonh...
Moschino Couture Floral Print Dress, 2000s
By Moschino Couture, Moschino
Located in New York, NY
Stunning Moschino Couture floral print dress with beaded, sequin and crystal accents. Sleeveless with one-shoulder, concealed zip closure at side. P...
Moschino Couture Runway Dress Asymmetrical Corset Gown Avant-Garde
By Moschino Couture
Located in Berlin, BE
Original Moschino Couture documented Runway Dress. Amazing rare Avant-Garde couture piece, asymmetrical corset dress with the most surreal vibrant colour combination. The SS2020 collection was inspired by famous abstract paintings and the whole vibe of the dress looks like an artwork with visible paint strokes. The name of the painting that inspired this dress was Girl before a Mirror...
Franco Moschino Couture 80's Silk Tie Dress
By Moschino Couture, Moschino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The is a Moschino Couture made in Milano circa 80's tie dress by Franco Moschino. Fashioned in all silk on a base of deep red silk and overlaid in vint...
Moschino Couture "Heart" blouse
By Moschino Couture
Located in New York, NY
This Moschino Couture black silk short sleeve blouse has cut out "Heart" on both sleeves and a deep sweetheart neckline. The 11" inch hidden zipper is located on the side. The front ...
Vintage Moschino Couture 1993/94 Bustier & Skirt Ensemble
By Moschino Couture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Moschino Couture "Wham!" ensemble by Franco Moschino that features a button front black wool bustier top with an adjustable back bu...
Iconic MOSCHINO Couture Dollar Sign Ensembe Black Dress Jacket Gold Chain Set
By Moschino Couture, Jeremy Scott
Located in Berlin, BE
$$$ MOSCHINO Couture $$$ Absolutely amazing two piece ensemble: black dress and jacket with heavy high quality gold coloured metal Dollar Signs and chain details. Super iconic and f...
1990s Moshcino Couture Black Dress with Gold Sequin Back
By Moschino Couture
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1990s fabulous Moschino Couture! black rayon jersey wrap dress with gold sequin "peace sign" straps and plunging neckline. 1.5" gold sequin trim along neck and underarms, continues t...
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 Couture Chain Harness Embellished Red Evening Dress Gown
By Moschino Couture
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Moschino Couture Chain Harness Embellished Red Evening Dress Gown IT 40 Red Moschino Couture evening dress with chain-link accents throughout and concea...
Vintage MOSCHINO Neckties Bustier Silk Dress
By Moschino Couture
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage MOSCHINO Neckties Bustier Silk Dress Measurements taken laid flat, please double bust, waist and hips: Bust: 16 inches Waist: 13.5 inches Hips: 18 inches Length: 28.5 inches...
Moschino Couture Orange Moire Silk & Black Lace Trim Dress
By Moschino Couture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage orange Moschino Couture by Franco Moschino cotton rayon blend mini dress: featuring moire faille fabric, black lace trim, and cente...
SS22 RUNWAY $5880 MOSCHINO COUTURE Jeremy Scott Milkshake Straw Asymmetric Dress
By Jeremy Scott, Moschino Couture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
True collector's piece by Jeremy Scott - super rare runway item! MOSCHINO COUTURE MILKSHAKE ASYMMETRIC DRESS COCKTAIL GOWN WITH A STRAW & Spoon SS22 Diner collection b...
Moschino 'Couture' asymmetrical one shoulder cocktail dress
By Moschino Couture, Moschino
Located in New York, NY
This Moschino couture black cocktail dress fits wonderfully to the body, and the pleating along the hem comes alive with every movement of the body! Elegant, yet sexy all at the same...
Black top stitched cocktail dress with gold metal chain edge Moschino Couture
By Moschino Couture
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black top stitched cocktail dress with gold metal chain edge. Fabric composition: 64% triacetate, 36% polyester. Lining: 85% rayon, 15% spandex. Zip in the middle back. SIZE 38 (It...
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 Couture, Moschino
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...
Vintage MOSCHINO COUTURE Gift Bow Overlay Dress
By Moschino Couture, Moschino
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...
Vintage RARE COUTURE VIP Black Dress
By Moschino Couture
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage RARE COUTURE VIP Black Dress Measurements taken laid flat, please double bust, waist and hips: Shoulder: 13.5 inches Bust: 18 inches Waist: 14.5 ...
Vintage Moschino Couture Navy & Red Big Dot Dress
By Moschino Couture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage navy and red Moschino Couture by Franco Moschino rayon blend shift mini dress: featuring navy and red insets, "Sorry, these dots ar...