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 Shopping Bag Charm Novelty Necklace Resort 2016 Runway
By Moschino Couture
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
MOSCHINO Shopping Bag Charm Novelty Necklace Resort 2016 Runway Measurements: Height Drop: 2.36 inches (6 cm) Bags: 1.57 inches X 1.18 inches (4...
Vintage 1989 MOSCHINO Dinner Cutlery Pendant Necklace
By Moschino Couture
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage 1989 MOSCHINO Dinner Cutlery Pendant Necklace Features: -100% Authentic MOSCHINO dating 1989 collection. - Massive spoon, knife and fork pendants on a chain necklace. - Gold...
Vintage MOSCHINO Golden Abanico Fan Pendant Novelty Necklace
By Moschino Couture
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage MOSCHINO Golden Abanico Fan Pendant Novelty Necklace Measurements: Fan Height: 7.87 inches (20 cm) Wearable Length: 41.73 inches (106 cm) Features: - 100% Authentic MOSCHIN...
Genuine & Natural Plain Emerald Beads Necklace and Indian Kundan Enamel Pendant
Located in New York, NY
A Genuine & Natural Plain Emerald Beads Necklace with an Indian Kundan Enamel Pendant. The emerald beads are 5 to 6MM. The clasp is 14K Yellow Gold. Tota...
Emerald, 18k Gold, Enamel
$3,600
W 2 in D 1.65 in L 22.75 in
Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Squash Blossom Necklace circa 1940
Located in New York, NY
A historic turquoise and sterling silver Fleur-de-Lis squash blossom necklace, Navajo, c. 1940. The necklace is 22.75". The naja is 2" x 1.62". The chain can be shortened to suit th...
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Vintage Turquoise Zuni 40 Fetish Necklace Native American Indian Silver Heishi
Located in New York, NY
THIS IS AN ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL AND CHARMING ANTIQUE NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN ZUNI TURQUOISE, AGATE ANIMAL, BIRD TWO STRAND FETISH NECKLACE WITH A SILVER CLASP. The necklace chains are set with beautiful Heishi Beads. The fabulous 40 hand carved Zuni animal and bird fetishes are wonderful and are carved from multi color stones. The animals include bears, squirrels, rabbits, buffalo and turtle. There are many owls, including at the base of the necklace, as well as parrots and other birds. In Zuni culture, an owl fetish represents the "Night Grandfather," acting as a protector of the home, a keeper of wisdom, and a guide through the darkness. It symbolizes the ability to see what others cannot, providing insight, patience, and the capacity to uncover hidden truths or deceptions The fetishes alternate with heishi beads. The necklace is a dramatic 30 inches long. The center owl fetish is 1 inch (26mm) in length. The clasp is silver. The necklace is an older vintage native american zuni necklace...
Agate, Turquoise, Silver
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Jade, Coral and Pearl Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
Finely carved antique Chinese pierced celadon green jade central pendant with three round red coral and pearl line tassels and on a coral and pearl ...
Coral, Jade, Pearl, 14k Gold
Pearl Rosario Necklace 14k Gold Virgin Mary Cross J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Natural White Mini Pearl Rosario Necklace 14k Gold Virgin Mary Cross Designer J DAUPHIN The White Mini Pearl Rosario Necklace is a premier sculptural statement piece by J DAUPHIN pr...
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Pearl Necklace with Carnelian Cabochon Sterling Silver Removable Enhancer
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Vintage pearls coupled with a sterling silver pendant enhancer with carnelian oval cabochon create this unique and versatile necklace look. Adorning this lustrous 16 inch necklace o...
Carnelian, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold, Sterling Silver
54.14 Carat Natural Red Ruby and Diamond 14 Karat Solid Yellow Gold Necklace
Located in Los Angeles, CA
54.14Ct Natural Red Ruby and Diamond 14K Solid Yellow Gold Necklace Amazing looking piece! Stamped: 14K Total Natural Oval Rubies Weight is Approx. 48.62 Carats Center Natural Ru...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Multi Colored Gemstone Cross Necklace in 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Necklace Metal: 14k Yellow Gold Total Weight: 10 Grams Chain Length: 18" Pendant Measurement: 1" x 0.80" Gemstones: 3 green peridot, 3 purple amethyst, 3 ...
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Peridot, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Faceted Quartz Heart Pendant and Beaded Necklace in 14 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in Milford, DE
An elegant removeable pendant necklace, featuring a faceted quartz heart pendant on a 14K yellow gold chain, accented with faceted smoky brown quartz...
Quartz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$870
H 4.5 in W 1.75 in L 24.5 in
Ruby Moonstone with Glass Moser Chatelaine Heart Scent Bottle, La Vie En Rose
By Karen Sugarman Designs
Located in Colleyville, TX
When I first began collecting these lovely scent bottles, they were readily available and quite lovely. Fast forward thru the pandemic plus everyone figuring out this gorgeous format and they supply has simply dried up! Be that as it may, when I do find a lovely scent bottle that is reasonably priced, I do tend to snag it. The is the case with this Moser hand painted scent bottle in the shape of a pink heart. Although the stopper is now missing, it is not an unusual predicament to not find them in place on these scent bottles. When you realize how very tiny they are, that should easily explain how they might have been lost or damaged over the past hundreds of years. Since Viva Magenta is the Panatone 2023 color of the year, this dreamy necklace should easily fit into that category with its confectionary pink colors and sweet heart design. The necklace portion consists of pink oval moonstone gems that are hand-linked and feature a small puffy gold...
Moonstone, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Tear Drop Pendant w Diamonds on Fine Sterling Silver Oval Chain w Blush Pearls
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
A fresh, light feminine look radiates from this expertly crafted 26 inch necklace featuring soft blush color Akoya Pearls flanked by faucet-cut Hematite beads complimented by the soft gray tones of an oxidized sterling silver oval link chain all leading to a fancy sterling silver tear drop pendant with diamonds. Finishing this design is a decorative sterling silver and diamond clasp...
Diamond, Hematite, Pearl, Sterling Silver
14K Yellow Gold Pearl Diamond Sapphire Necklace, 17" Long, USA
Located in Palm Desert, CA
14 Karat Pearl Diamond Sapphire Necklace. The necklace feature forty-eight bluish-gray pearls with blue sapphire beads and an oval gold pendant. The ...
Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage MOSCHINO Jump Ring Novelty Snake Chain Tiered Necklace
By Moschino Couture
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage MOSCHINO Jump Ring Novelty Snake Chain Tiered Necklace Measurements: Height: 1.37 inches (3.5 cm) Wearable Length: 26.57 inches (104 cm) Features: - 100% Authentic MOSCHINO...
Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Gold Black Metal Necklace Teddy Peace Smiley
By Moschino Couture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Gold Black Metal Necklace Teddy Peace Smiley Additional Information: Material: Metal Color: Gold/Black Pattern: Smiley Face/Bag/Pumps/Pouch/Heart/Teddy...
Gold
Moschino charm necklace NWOT
By Moschino Couture
Located in Capri, IT
Gold galvanic necklace with cat, broom, pumpkin and witch's hat shaped charms. Chain necklace Hook closure Fabric : 100% Metal
Moschino Charm necklace
By Moschino Couture
Located in Capri, IT
Gold galvanic necklace with cat, broom, pumpkin and witch's hat shaped charms. Chain necklace Hook closure Fabric : 100% Metal