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...
Brand New Casadei Gold Leopard Mules Heels Size 6.5
By Casadei
Located in Conroe, TX
Casadei Brand New With Box Please Note: We feel these run a half size small. Gold Leather Fabric Leopard Print Footbed Wood Detailed Heel Leather Sole 4" Heel With Box & Dust...
New Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent YSL Lotus Heels Final Collection 2004 Sz 37
By Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Conroe, TX
Yves Saint Laurent Heels Brand New * Tom Ford Era Lotus Slides * This was his last collection for Yves Saint Laurent. He was inspired by the Chinese Collection of 1977 His Final Coll...
New Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent YSL Lotus Heels Final Collection 2004 Sz 38
By Yves Saint Laurent, Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Conroe, TX
Yves Saint Laurent Heels Brand New * Tom Ford Era Lotus Slides * This was his last collection for Yves Saint Laurent. He was inspired by the Chinese Collection of 1977 His Final Collection for YSL 2004...
Dior Galliano Era 2002 Canvas Leather Grommet Heels Slingback 38.5
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in San Jose, CA
Authentic Christian Dior by John Galliano Spring/Summer 2002 slingback heels in EU 38.5. These vintage Y2K Dior heels feature brown leather, beige canvas, gold-tone grommet hardware, pointed toes and sculpted high heels. A rare Galliano-era Dior design from the early 2000s with crossover canvas straps, metal eyelet detailing and an adjustable leather slingback strap. The heels are wrapped in coordinating canvas for a distinctive mixed-material finish. DETAILS • Christian Dior by John Galliano • Spring/Summer 2002 • Brown leather & beige canvas • Gold-tone grommet / eyelet hardware • Crossover straps • Pointed toe • Slingback buckle strap • Canvas-wrapped sculpted heel • Dior logo insoles & soles • Made in Italy • Original Dior box included SIZE EU 38.5 / approx. US 8–8.5 CONDITION Good vintage condition with visible sole wear and minor wear consistent with age. Structure remains solid. See photos. KEYWORDS: Christian Dior heels, Dior slingback heels, Dior pumps, Dior shoes, Dior canvas heels, Dior 38.5, John Galliano Dior, Galliano Dior shoes, Galliano Dior heels, Dior SS 2002, Dior 2002, Y2K Dior, early 2000s Dior, vintage Dior heels...
New Gucci Lykke Li Python Spring 2015 Runway Pumps Heels Sz 38
By Gucci
Located in Conroe, TX
Brand New Gucci Python Print Heels Spring Summer 2015 Runway Heels Size: 38 Featured in Gucci Music Video with Lykke Li Leather Cross Strap Toe Python Print Leather Adjustable Ankle ...
Brand New Casadei Gold Leopard Mules Heels Size 9
By Casadei
Located in Conroe, TX
Casadei Brand New With Box Size 9 Please Note: We feel these run a half size small. Gold Leather Fabric Leopard Print Footbed Wood Detailed Heel Leather Sole 4" Heel With Box &am...
Brand New Casadei Gold Leopard Mules Heels Size 8
By Casadei
Located in Conroe, TX
Casadei Brand New With Box Size 8 Please Note: We feel these run a half size small. Gold Leather Fabric Leopard Print Footbed Wood Detailed Heel Leather Sole 4" Heel With Box &am...
New Gucci Horsebit Lizard Swarovski Crystal Mules Heels Sz 7
By Gucci
Located in Conroe, TX
Gucci Horsebit Heels Brand New * Stunning in Satin Horsebit * Iconic Gold & Swarovski Crystal Horsebit Toe * Size: 7 * Open Toe Mule * Leather Insole * Gucci Saddle, Blue &...
New Jimmy Choo Glitter Heels Pumps Sz 39.5
By Jimmy Choo
Located in Conroe, TX
Jimmy Choo * Brand New * Stunning Red Carpet Heels * Euro Size: 39.5 Dusted Glitter Gold * Two Adjustable Ankle Strap * Leather Footbed * Rounded Toe * 4" Heel * With Box & Dus...
$2,840Sale Price|20% Off
Size: 38
$3550 New Gucci Olive 2024 Over The Knee Leather Horsebit Boots Sz 38
By Gucci
Located in Conroe, TX
Brand New With Dust Cover The Only Pair We Have! $3550 2024 Size: 38 Impossible to find in the Olive Gucci Leather Over The Knee Boots OLIVE Silver Horsebit Detail at Heel Round-Toes...
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 Footbed Wood Heel and Platfo...
New Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent YSL Lotus Heels Final Collection 2004 Sz 37
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Conroe, TX
Yves Saint Laurent Heels Brand New * Tom Ford Era Lotus Slides * This was his last collection for Yves Saint Laurent. He was inspired by the Chinese Collection of 1977 His Final Collection for YSL 2004...
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 ...