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 Moschino clothing on 1stDibs.
MOSCHINO Italy Avant-garde Fashion Spiral Binder Book c 2001
By Moschino
Located in University City, MO
Moschino vintage fashion archive spiral binder book spanning from the late 1980s to 2001. Showcases their quirky fashions & retail campaigns, window displays & retail boutiq...
$104Sale Price|20% Off
Set of Two Bulgari Brand Book Catalogue Jewelry and Watches 2013
By Bulgari
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Set of two Bulgari catalogues, jewelry and watches. Collection of 2013. Hardcover black cloth catalogues of one of the most famous Luxury Jewellery maker in the world. Sotirio Bulgar...
$76Sale Price|20% Off
Bulgari Catalog, Jewelry and Watches Collection 2011
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Bvlgari catalog, jewelry and watches. Bulgari "Serpenti" Collection of 2011. Hardcover catalog of one of the most famous Luxury Jewellery maker in the ...
Face Forward by Kevyn Aucoin: 2000 Hardcover Makeup Artistry Book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Face Forward By Kevyn Aucoin Hardcover Book. Face Forward is a cosmetics book written by Kevyn Aucoin. It was a New York Times bestseller. The book was widely noted for introducing ...
$162Sale Price|20% Off
1992 British VOGUE Rock Fame Fashion Edition Andrew Macpherson
By Vogue
Located in London, GB
1992 VOGUE Magazine - December issue, “Rock Fame Fashion” Special", 214 pages, full colour Cover: Christy Turlington & Bono photographed by Andrew Macpherson Features: On the roa...
1994 Vogue Paris Special Edition The Legendary Cinema Magazine Issue
By Vogue
Located in London, GB
One of the most important and collectible French Vogue editions ever published. The Issue that Celebrated 100 Years of Cinema —and Defined an Era of Supermodel Glamour Published in ...
The Story of Jewelry 1st ED. 1973 by J. Anderson Hardcover Book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
The Story of Jewelry 1973 by J. Anderson. Introduction by Edward Lucie-Smith Black Hardcover Book. Translate from Italian. J. Anderson Black - Storia dei gioielli English text. Documents jewelry's history from the primitive ornaments of prehistoric times to the abstract simplicity of modern design. This book offers a unique way of exploring the world of vintage jewelry for experts, newcomers, and anyone with an interest in the topic. Every piece of jewelry tells a story. Each chapter is centered around a particular piece of jewelry and the way in which it is emblematic: a previous owner, an exemplary design or dominant material. From an array of historic pieces...
1987 Chanel Catalogue Lagerfeld Hommage à Chanel Rome Villa Giulia Exhibition
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel
Located in London, GB
A rare and highly collectible vintage exhibition catalogue documenting the historic "Hommage à Chanel" retrospective held in Rome, Italy, in 1987. Located at the prestigious Via Giul...
1994 Vogue Italia Magazine Teatro Alla Scala Milan Opera Rare Vintage
By Vogue
Located in London, GB
This volume is a special supplement published by Vogue Italia in December 1994, entirely dedicated to the Teatro alla Scala in Milan for the inauguration of the 1994/1995 opera and c...
$173Sale Price|20% Off
1974 Vogue Magazine Cover by David Bailey, Unisex, Good Condition
By Vogue
Located in London, GB
1974 VOGUE Magazine - Cover by David Bailey, 160 pages, in colour and black/white On Cover: ""Impressions Of A Mid-summer Evening" - Photographed by David Baily Features: Vienna dr...
$220Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.5 in W 8.25 in
Louis Vuitton Paris Auction Catalog 2019 by Gros & Delettrez
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Louis Vuitton Paris Auction Catalog 2019 Published by Gros & Delettrez, 2019 307 lots Gros & Delettrez 15 Avril 2019 Title: Louis Vuitton Paris Auction Catalog 2019 Book Publisher: Gros & Delettrez Publication Date: 2019 Binding: Soft cover Condition: Good. Title: Louis Vuitton Paris Auction Catalog 2019. Dimensions: 11 3/4' x 8 1/4". Great reference book catalog on rare vintage high end collection from Louis Vuitton Paris France.
$156Sale Price|20% Off
1986 Vogue Magazine by Saul Leiter, Unisex, Modern Britain Cover
By Vogue
Located in London, GB
1986 VOGUE Magazine - August Issue - Cover by Saul Leiter, 198 pages, in colour and black/white On Cover: "Modern Britain" - Amanda Pays Features: Fitness, The Picasso Sketchbooks...
2009 Prada Fall Winter Vintage Large LookBook - AMO Rem Koolhaas Edit
By Prada
Located in London, GB
Own a piece of fashion history with this rare Prada Fall/Winter 2009 *Look Book. Produced in collaboration with AMO, the creative think tank founded by Rem Koolhaas, this publication...