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 "This Is not a Moschino Toy" teddy bear bag
By Moschino Couture
Located in Capri, IT
Moschino Couture "This Is not a Moschino Toy" teddy bear bag Padded faux-fur shoulder bag in brown and white Logo printend in black at face fixed buffed faux leather carry handle gol...
SS22 Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Diner Red Ice Cream Sundae Crossbody Bag
By Jeremy Scott, Moschino Couture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
*Same Day Shipping* *BEAUTIFUL & UNIQUE COLLECTIBLE DEADSTOCK PIECE* MOSCHINO COUTURE Ice Cream Sundae Crossbody Bag SS2022 Diner Collecti...
Moschino Couture - Round Leather Bag + Burnished Bronze Floral Medallions
By Moschino Couture
Located in KENT, GB
Product Details: Moschino Couture - Round Leather Bag - Burnished Bronze Floral Medallion Design Throughout - Detachable Strap inc Bronze ‘Moschino’ Logo + Mini Floral Medallion Desi...
80s Moschino Leather Backpack
By Moschino Couture
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
80s Moschino snake skin leather backpack
New Kate Spade Her Rare Large Collectible Spring 2005 Green Wicker Basket Bag
Located in Conroe, TX
Kate Spade Wicker Bag Very Rare From Her Spring 2005 Collection DESIGNED BY KATE SPADE This is the last collection before she sold her brand to Neiman Marcus Impossible to Find Bran...
H 11.82 in D 3.94 in L 11.42 in
Green fabric handle bag with crocodile pattern Christian Lacroix BAZAR
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Green fabric ( probably rayon ) handle bag with crocodile pattern. Branded wood handle + gold metal chain and eyelet. Black plastic lining and one pocket with zip closure inside. S...
H 3.25 in W 4.5 in D 4 in
Chanel Vanity Case Micro Mini 90s Vintage Iridescent Bronze Rare Patent Clutch
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Micro Mini 90s Vintage Patent Metallic Bronze Iridescent Vanity Case Rare 1994 [VINTAGE 30 Years} Diamond stitch iridescent patent leather Cl...
Hermes Lindy 26 Black Clemence Leather Bag Palladium Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Lindy 26 bag featured in Black. Plush Clemence leather. Crisp with Palladium hardware. Functional as a top handle bag o...
H 3.1 in W 3.9 in L 0.8 in
Chanel Waist Classic Flap Rare Vintage 90s Limited Edition Micro Mini Bronze Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Rare Vintage 90's Limited Edition Micro Mini Classic Flap Bag 1991 {VINTAGE 33 Years} Gold Hardware Bronze quilted lambskin leather CC Turnlock Leather lined interior 3.9" W ...
H 10.24 in W 11.82 in D 5.12 in
Chloe Aby Grey Leather Shoulder/Crossbody/Top Handle Bag
By Chloé
Located in Arnhem, NL
A CHLOÉ " Aby " shoulder bag made of grey (Motty Grey) leather with light gold and silver toned hardware. The interior consists of two major compartments divided by a pocket with a z...
H 7.49 in W 6.3 in L 11.82 in
Christian Dior Camel Leather Week End Top Handles Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Paris, FR
Christian Dior Camel leather Week-End top handles bag featuring top round leather handles, a top zipper closure, light beige suede leather parts, front “Dior” pitted, logo lining, in...
H 4 in W 3 in L 6.2 in
Louis Vuitton Takashi Murakami Monogram Blanc White Multicolor Mini Speedy HL
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Dix hills, NY
Louis Vuitton Takashi Murakami Monogram Blanc White Multicolor Mini Speedy HL 118l37 Date Code/Serial Number: TH0043 Made In: France Measurement...
H 17 in D 5.5 in L 16 in
Chanel Heart Timeless Medium Pelle Bianca Trapuntata
By Chanel
Located in Torre Del Greco, IT
Borsa firmata Chanel, linea Timeless, modello Heart nella misura medium, realizzato in pelle bianca con hardware dorato. Dotato di una chiusura semicircolare a zip con doppio cursore...
Hermes Birkin 35 Ebene Barenia Faubourg Bag Palladium Hardware Limited Edition
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a limited edition Hermes 35 Birkin bag featured in Ebene Barenia Faubourg. Beyond chic the finish and texture to this exquisite Barenia leather requires a highly s...
Hermes Connect the Dots Limited Edition HAC 40 Black Evergrain Leather
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers the Hermès HAC 40 “Connect the Dots” edition which reimagines one of the house’s most historic silhouettes through a modern, graphic lens. Rather than relying on tr...
H 5.12 in W 4.53 in L 13.39 in
Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld Black Travel Line Handbag
By Chanel
Located in Paris, FR
Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld Black “Travel Line” handbag featuring a long shape, a canvas with signature CC in squares, a long length, a top logo zip opening, top leather handles, an in...
MOSCHINO by Redwall Black Red Heart-Appliqued & Studded Shoulder Bag, late 1980s
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 ...
SS22 Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Hotdog Diner Collection Brown Shoulder Bag
By Jeremy Scott, Moschino Couture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
*BEAUTIFUL & UNIQUE COLLECTIBLE DEADSTOCK PIECE* MOSCHINO COUTURE Hotdog 50's Brown Multi-color Shoulder Bag SS2022 Diner Collection by Jeremy Scott Rare and Highly Sought Afte...
H 7.09 in W 5.52 in D 4.73 in
MOSCHINO Circus bag
By Moschino Couture
Located in Rubiera, RE
MOSCHINO COUTURE Circus Bag Jeremy Scott Resort 2019 Collection Calfskin in circus tend design, red and white with teddy bear and gold tone details, chain strap. Dust bag inclos...
MOSCHINO COUTURE S/S 1993 Fleur-de-Lis Appliquéd Blue & Red Top Handle Bag
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 my shop and more to be listed gradually, comes direct from a German socialite and fashion collector so has not been on the market prior to this. This exceptional and rare Spring/Summer 1993 Moschino box bag is a love letter to Italy and dedicated to the city of Florence. It showcases some heraldic symbols, the so called 'Giglio' – a stylized red iris that is the emblem of the Tuscan capital – and the Florentine colours. The design is a wonderful example of Franco Moschino's fanciful creations and captures the fun vibe that Moschino has always represented as a brand. I am delighted to have found documentation of the matching jacket (I had in the shop as well) with a photo of a "Tribute to Florence" window display from January 1993 in the book about Moschino "X Anni di Kaos! 1983 1993". See the last two pictures. The twin of the jacke is part of the permanent collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The top handle bag features 22 gold metal fleur-de-lis studs set onto a royal blue patent leather on one side and an oversized cream patent leather fleur-de-lis on the other side sewn onto cherry-red patent leather. The sides are cross-striped in black and white and the bottom plain cream with five gold metal bag...
$2255 AW21 Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Nude Biker Jacket Leopard Shoulder Bag
By Jeremy Scott, Moschino Couture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
*Same Day Shipping* *BEAUTIFUL & UNIQUE COLLECTIBLE DEADSTOCK PIECE* Biker Jacket Leopard Spots Shoulder Bag in Nude AW2021 Moschino Couture by Jeremy Scott MSRP $2,255! Rar...
H 12 in D 0.6 in L 9 in
$425 SS18 Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott My Little Pony Green Rainbow Clutch Bag
By Jeremy Scott, Moschino Couture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
LAST ONE AVAILABLE! *SAME DAY EXPEDITED SHIPPING* MOSCHINO COUTURE Green My Little Pony XL Clutch SS18 Collection by Jeremy Scott MSRP $425+tax! 100% Authentic!!! Condit...
Moschino for Budweiser Capsule Collection bag NWOT
By Moschino Couture
Located in Capri, IT
Moschino for Budweiser Capsule Collection clutch bag with an absolutely unique design and street and urban charm. This unconventional and highly rec...
H 10.24 in W 5.91 in D 6.3 in
rare MOSCHINO Couture! 2019 Runway gold Casino Slot Machine crossbody chain bag
By Moschino Couture
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare MOSCHINO Couture! 2019 Runway gold Casino Slot Machine crossbody chain bag Reference: TGAS/B02115 Brand: Moschino Couture Designer: Jeremy Scott Collection: Fall Winter 2019...
W 6.3 in D 1.97 in L 6.3 in
Moschino Couture Denim Sequins bag NWOT
By Moschino, Moschino Couture
Located in Capri, IT
Moschino Couture Denim Sequins bag NWOT
D 5.12 in L 7.88 in
Moschino Couture Denim Bucket Bag with Sequins NWOT
By Moschino, Moschino Couture
Located in Capri, IT
Moschino Denim Bucket Bag with Sequins NWOT Totally made in italy Model: 2A7519 Tasks on the back