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 Vintage Gold Tone Tragicomedy Mask Brooch
By Moschino
Located in Nice, FR
MOSCHINO vintage textured antiqued gold tone tragicomedy mask brooch. Embossed MOSCHINO. Indicative measurements : height approx. 10.5 cm (4.13 inches) / max. width approx. 4.5 cm ...
Gilt Metal
MOSCHINO Vintage "Chi Dorme Non Piglia" Articulated Fish Dangling Brooch
By Moschino
Located in Nice, FR
MOSCHINO vintage gold tone brooch featuring an enameled and articulated fish topped by a faux pearl and the quote "CHI DORME NON PIGLIA" (PISCE) - e.g. Those who run away are always ...
MOSCHINO Vintage Gold Tone Angel Brooch
By Moschino
Located in Nice, FR
MOSCHINO vintage antiqued gold tone angel brooch featuring a textured metal heart and a pearlescent heart drop. Embossed MOSCHINO. Indicative measurements : height approx. 12.5 cm ...
Gilt Metal
Vintage Tiffany & Co. Pink & Yellow Gold Flower Pin Brooch
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Baltimore, MD
Vintage Tiffany & Co. Pink & Yellow Gold Flower Pin Brooch Metal: 14k pink & yellow gold Weight: 6.97 grams Length: 20mm Width: 46m...
14k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Verdura 1909 $10 Indian Head US Coin Yellow Gold Pin Brooch
By Verdura
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold And 22k Yellow Gold 1909 $10 Indian Head US Coin Pin Brooch by Verdura. With United States Of America Ten Dollars 1909 Indian Head Coin...
Yellow Gold
$1,392
H 5.52 in W 3.55 in D 0.52 in
Christian Lacroix star brooch with glittering balls, gold toned Resin 1980/90s
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Stuttgart, DE
The allure of bold Costume Jewelry ! A very rare and unusual large brooch in the shape of a star by Christian Lacroix Paris. On the rays are glittering balls with cut rhinestones. Si...
Vintage Tiffany & Co France Ruby Emerald Frog Yellow Gold Pin Brooch
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Southampton, PA
20k Yellow Gold Ruby Emerald Frog Pin Brooch by Tiffany & Co. The Tiffany & Co. France 20k Yellow Gold Ruby Emerald Frog Pin Brooch is an enchanting piece. This whimsical design sh...
Emerald, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Extraordinary Marcel Boucher Early Orchid Brooch
By Marcel Boucher
Located in New York, NY
Extraordinary Marcel Boucher Early Orchid Brooch from the late 1930's. Dimensional and large brooch with amazing design and signature square cut faux ruby stones used primarily by Boucher. This brooch is designed in pieces and assembled like fine jewelry with extremely tight pave rhinestone work with tapered baguettes. Collector quality, the finest in period faux jewelry, a brooch of this high quality rarely comes to market. High rhodium original finish. 3" x 3.25" in height. Unsigned. 1930's USA. Born in Paris, Marcel Boucher worked as a jewelry designer for Cartier, who brought him to the United States. In the 1930s, he took a job with Mazer Bros...
Gilt Metal
Cartier Panther Panthere Emerald Black Onyx Tie Lapel Yellow Gold Pin Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Emerald Black Onyx nose Panther Panthere Tie Lapel Pin Brooch by Cartier. With 2 x Green Emerald Eyes and Black Onyx nose Details: Measurements: 35mm x 11mm Weight: ...
Emerald, Onyx, Yellow Gold
Vintage Cartier Dinh Van Yellow Gold Long Quill Brooch Pin
By Dinh Van for Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Vintage Long Quill Brooch Pin by Dinh Van for Cartier. Details: Length: 6.5" Width: 9mm Weight: 20.5 grams Stamped Hallmarks: Cartier D...
Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Ruby Emerald Sapphire Flower Gold Pin Brooch
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Flower Diamond Emerald Sapphire Ruby Brooch Pin by Van Cleef & Arpels. With 126 round brilliant cut diamonds VVS1 clarity, E color total weight approx. 5.60ct 1 ruby...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold
Marcel Boucher Pearlized Enamel Corn on the Cob Brooch
By Marcel Boucher
Located in New York, NY
Rare and super collectible Marcel Boucher pearlized enamel corn on the cob brooch from 1941. Of rhodium plated metal, crystal rhinestones, hand painted...
Crystal, Rhodium, Base Metal
Van Cleef & Arpels Cosmos Diamond And Ruby Yellow Gold Pendant Brooch
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond And Ruby Cosmos Pendant Brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels This vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Cosmos Brooch Pendant is a stunning piece, c...
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Marcel Boucher Enamel Phoenix Brooch, 1941
By Marcel Boucher
Located in New York, NY
Rare Marcel Boucher Phoenix collector quality bird brooch, from 1941. Of rhodium plate base metal, crystal rhinestone pave, with hand painted cold pear...
Platinum, Rhodium, Base Metal, Enamel
Extraordinary Marcel Boucher Flower Corsage Clip Brooch
By Marcel Boucher
Located in New York, NY
Amazing Early Marcel Boucher Flower Corsage Clip Brooch from the early 1930's. Massive scale and Collector Quality. Designed to be worn at neckline or w...
Rhodium
SS20 Moschino Couture Picasso Yellow Red Flower Brooch by Jeremy Scott
By Moschino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
SS20 Moschino Couture Jeremy Scott Picasso Yellow Red Flower Brooch RUNWAY Additional Information: Material: 50% PVC 30% PL 10% CO 5% ME 5% VT ...
1990s Vintage Moschino Gold Tone Heart Tassel Pin Brooch
By Moschino
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is a playful gold tone heart tassel pin brooch designed by Moschino in 1990’s. Signed: “Moschino” (shown in photos). Length: 11.5cm Diameter: 3.5cm ——— If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. We describe our items accurately. Please note that in reality they can look much better because photo can’t capture that magical sparkle. We have many years of experience in this business. And we have a very carefully curated selection of pieces. You can buy with confidence. Thank you for your consideration. ——— “Laura Antiques Fine Jewellery...
Gilt Metal
1980s Moschino Stone Enameled Mirror Pin Brooch
By Moschino
Located in London, GB
1980's Moschino Bijoux Mirror Pin Brooch, stone enameled detailing on gold-tone metalware, Made In Italy The craftsmanship of this special piece ensure...
Enamel
Fall 1989 MOSCHINO Dinner Cutlery Fork Knife and Spoon Brooch Full Set with Box
By Moschino
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 – some of them already available in my shop, more to be listed gradually –, comes direct from a German socialite and fashion lover so has not been on the market prior to this. This is a rare and collectible full set of three cutlery brooches with their original box from one of Franco Moschino's most iconic collections, the Fall 1989 "Show-off" couture runway collection. Capturing the fun and charm vibe that Moschino has always represented as a brand, they are the epitome of a conversation starter accessory! Pieces of this legendary "Dinner" collection are held by various fashion museums worldwide. We sold the "Dinner" jacket and skirt suit to The Museum at FIT in NYC last year. The set comprises three gold-colored metal brooches featuring a fork, a knife and a spoon with a deliberate black patina and double pins on the back. All pieces are embossed MOSCHINO. Original box still present. Excellent vintage condition. Hardly ever worn. Deliberate black patina. Irregularities on metal are original. Fork: approx. 12.7 cm x 2 cm – 5" x 0.79" Knife: approx. 13 cm x 1,5 cm – 5.12" x 0.6" Spoon: approx. 13 cm x 2,8 cm – 5.12" x 1.1" Weight: Fork (21 g) / Knife (23 g) / Spoon (26 g) Reference photo: Moschino Couture Fall 1989...
Moschino 1980s Pen Brooch in Black Acrylic with Gold Detail
By Moschino
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage Moschino pin in the shape of a fountain pen. Black resin with gold tone detailing. Black resin "ink drop" dangles from tip. Signed Moschino at pe...
Moschino Vintage Massive Gold Toned Comedy Mask Brooch
By Moschino
Located in Nice, FR
MOSCHINO vintage massive gold toned comedy mask brooch featuring a long chain tassel. Embossed MOSCHINO. Has weight on it. Indicative measurements : hei...
Moschino Vintage Iconic 1989 Cutlery Dinner Sautoir Necklace and Brooch Set
By Moschino
Located in Nice, FR
MOSCHINO vintage iconic 1989 gold toned with antique patina cutlery dinner sautoir necklace and spoon brooch set. A very rare find from FRANCO MOSCHINO e...
Moschino Vintage Rare Fork, Spoon, Knife Brooch Set
By Moschino
Located in Nice, FR
MOSCHINO vintage rare set of three gold toned with black patina brooches featuring a fork, a spoon and a knife. Embossed MOSCHINO. Indicative measurements : fork approx. 12.6 cm x ...
Moschino Vintage "Peace & Love" Charm Safety Pin Brooch
By Moschino
Located in Sparks, NV
Vintage Moschino gold brooch in the shape of an oversized safety pin. The brooch has three dangling charms; a peace sign, an ampersand, and a heart. From Moschino's iconic "Peace & L...
Rare 1990s Moschino Question Mark Brooch
By Moschino
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Super Rare Moschino "Question Mark" Brooch with nuts and bolts, surrounded by rhinestones. Make the ultimate statement with this 1990's collectors piece! Measures 5" x 2" there are a...
Moschino Whimsical Eye Glass Spectacles Brooch
By Moschino
Located in University City, MO
Moschino Whimsical eye glass spectacles brooch The unique designer brooch is designed in the style of a pair of gilt wire frame eye glasses with clear pl...
1970s Moschino Flower Brooch
By Moschino
Located in Capri, IT
1970s Moschino Flower Brooch