Todd Oldham may wear many hats today as a creative, but he first made his mark on the world as the maximalist American fashion designer of the 1990s, during which he would become known for wildly playful runway shows and vibrant, adventurous evening dresses, skirts, jackets and other clothing.
Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, Oldham learned to sew at age nine. His first job after graduating high school was at Polo Ralph Lauren, where he worked in alterations. Then, after being fired — the teen’s punky personal style didn’t mesh well with the brand — he borrowed $100 from his parents, created a micro collection of his own and promptly sold it to Neiman Marcus before launching his own company with the department store’s lead buyer, Tony Longoria, who would become both his business and life partner. It was the meteoric start of a whirlwind career.
In 1990, the New York Times praised Oldham’s work (and that of his contemporary Christian Francis Roth) as “offbeat styles that bring wit and whimsy to the business of fashion.” Where major houses like Calvin Klein and Michael Kors went minimalist with their collections, Oldham went bold.
His style took on global inspiration. His family spent a few years during his childhood living in Iran, which introduced him to patterns, colors and materials not commonly used in America. So, for many of his collections, Oldham used over-the-top embellishments, rainbow hues, luxe materials and funky sewing techniques to create irreverent pieces that jibed with the zeitgeist of the ’90s. He even earned a gig on MTV, hosting a segment on the show House of Style that taught viewers how to make DIY clothing and accessories.
Then, in 1999, Oldman had had enough. He felt that it was time to explore other interests, so he closed up shop. Over the years, Oldham has designed furniture and created interiors and published books on influential shelter magazine Nest as well as modernist illustrator Charley Harper. But that’s not to say he doesn’t remember his fashion years fondly. Oldham and his studio collaborated with the Rhode Island School of Design on a retrospective of his fashion work in 2016 titled “All of Everything: Todd Oldham Fashion,” which toured the United States.
Find vintage Todd Oldham clothing on 1stDibs.
Todd Oldham 1992 Vintage Women's Brown Corduroy Slip-On Sneakers, US 8
By Todd Oldham
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Super Rare Retro Style! 1990s brown corduroy slip on sneakers gum sole platforms with chunky heel dead-stock, never worn and perfectly cute Circa: 1992 Todd Oldman for Keds Brown/B...
$335Sale Price|55% Off
Size: MARKED Size: 41 fits a U.S. Size
New Edmundo Castillo Metallic Leather Espadrille Mule Heels Sz 40
By Edmundo Castillo
Located in Conroe, TX
Rare Edmundo Castillo Brand New * MARKED Size: 41 fits a U.S. Size 10 These Run a Half Size Small * Braided Rope Espadrille insole * Metallic Gold Toe * Wooden Base * 1" Front Platf...
New With Box Gucci Tom Ford Suede Horsebit Pump Heels Sz 10
By Gucci
Located in Conroe, TX
Tom Ford for Gucci Brand New * Stunning Horsebit Heels * U.S. Size: 10 * Brown Suede Heels * Gold Horsebit Hardware * Suede Ankle Ties * Leather Footbed * 4" Heel * With Box and Dus...
$1,800Sale Price|20% Off
Size: 38
New Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent YSL Lotus Heels Final Collection 2004 Sz 38
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Conroe, TX
Yves Saint Laurent Heels Brand New * Tom Ford Lotus Runway Ad Heels * This was his last collection for Yves Saint Laurent. He was inspired by the Chinese Collection of 1977... His Fi...
New Yves Saint Laurent YSL SS 2005 Avocado Heels Suede Pumps Sz 39
By Stefano Pilati for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Conroe, TX
Stefano Pilati for Yves Saint Laurent Debut Collection Brand New Size 39 Spring Summer 2005 * Detachable Feather Embellishment * Leather Insole * Square Toe * 3.5" Heel * With Box...
$1,696Sale Price|30% Off
Size: 37.5
New Fendi Karl Lagerfeld 2014 Ad Runway Fur Boots Booties Sz 37.5 With Box
By Fendi, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Conroe, TX
Fendi Calf Hair Fur Boots Karl Lagerfeld 2014 Brand New With Box * Euro: 37.5 * Stunning Rust Colored Calf Hair Boots * Wrap-Around Straps & Concealed Zip Closure at Sides * 4.25" ...
New Jimmy Choo Patent Leather Heels Platform Pumps Sz 39.5
By Jimmy Choo
Located in Conroe, TX
Brand New Stunning Jimmy Choo Heels Gorgeous High Shine Patent Plum Peep Toe Size: 39.5 Heel 4.5" Front Platform 1" Leather Footbed With Jimmy Choo Dust Cover
$1,813Sale Price|30% Off
Size: 39
New Rare $2590 Yves Saint Laurent YSL Imperiale Crocodile Heels Pumps 2009 Sz 39
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Conroe, TX
Stefano Pilati for Yves Saint Laurent Brand New Runway Ad Heels Seen on Naomi Campbell F/W 2009 $2590 Deep Wine Red 100% Genuine Crocodile Throughout * Euro Size: 39 * Leather Padde...
$995Sale Price|31% Off
Size: 40
New Tom Ford for YSL Yves Saint Laurent Nadja Rosette Gold Heels Sz 40
By Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Conroe, TX
Tom Ford For YSL Heels Brand New * Nadja Rosette Heels to match the Famous Nadja Bags! This was his last collection for Yves Saint Laurent. He was inspired by the Chinese Collectio...
New Tom Ford for Gucci Python Snake Head Ad Runway Heels Sz 7
By Gucci
Located in Conroe, TX
Tom Ford For Gucci Heels Brand New & Very Rare * Stunning in Gold Python * Tom Ford's "Farewell Collection" w/ Gucci * Size: 7 * Gold Bamboo Heel * Famous Purple Snake...
New Fendi Karl Lagerfeld Python Heels Platform Pumps Sz 36
By Fendi
Located in Conroe, TX
Brand New Stunning Fendi Python Heels Karl Lagerfeld for Fendi Gold FF Toe 100% Python in Nudes, Greens, Grays Size: 36 Heel 5" Front Platform 2" Leather ...
Giuseppe Zanotti 2000's Neon Flower & Feather Metallic Platform Mules Heels
By Giuseppe Zanotti
Located in BELLEVUE HILL, NSW
Absolutely insane 2000's Giuseppe Zanotti heels featuring pastel flower and fuchsia feather detailing over the toe with metallic green heels and metallic leather inners. Made in Ital...
$895
Size: * Size: 41 U.S. 10
New Tom Ford Yves Saint Laurent Resort Platform Espadrille Heels Sz 41 U.S 10
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Conroe, TX
Tom Ford For YSL Heels Brand New * Tom Ford Canvas Wedges * Beautiful Beige Canvas * Dark Burnt Orange Leather * Size: 41 U.S. 10 * Gold Grommet Hardware...
VINTAGE TODD OLDHAM OVER-THE-TOP HEAVILY BEADED BOOTS
By Todd Oldham
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Artist/fashion designer Todd Oldham vintage black suede boots heavily adorned with multi-color beads throughout. Lined in very soft leather.
4" heel and clean soles. Circa ...
Todd Oldham
By Todd Oldham
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stiletto boots with fringe multi color bead detailing. c. 1980's