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 Black Silk with Multi-Colors Stud Evening Vest
By Todd Oldham
Located in New York, NY
Todd Oldham fully lined black silk evening vest is studded with multi-colors of rhinestones held by gold hardware. Size 6, American. There are 8 buttons on front (two are missing...
TODD OLDHAM Vintage 1980s Size M Brown Blue Polyester Blend Patchwork Wood Grain T-Shirt
By Todd Oldham
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage TIMES SEVEN TODD OLDHAM 1980s t-shirt in a brown and blue polyester blend jersey featuring a patchwork wood grain print, short sleeves, and crew neck.Good Pre-Owned Condition...
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche silk floral "Bow" blouse
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
This Multicolored Yves Saint Laurent Floral blouse are in shades of tangerines, yellows, greens & golds on a black backdrop. The material is French crepe de chine. The neck has a ext...
2009 Vintage Alexander McQueen Printed Chiffon Silk Blouse Top It. 40
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Montgomery, TX
Alexander McQueen Printed Chiffon Silk Blouse Top 2009 Vintage Italian size 40 - US 4 100% Silk Made in Italy. New, with tags.
Gold jersey draped bustier ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER
By Alexandre Vauthier
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Gold jersey draped bustier with black cotton satin boned bustier inside with hook&eye closure. Invisible zip and hook&eye closure on the middle back. SAMPLE. SIZE XS /34 (Fr)
Navy blue rayon tank top ALAIA
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Navy blue rayon tank top . SIZE 34/XS
Dolce & Gabbana Italy Scenes Silk Shirt Top
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous fine silk stretch short sleeve shirt in bright colors depicting Italian scenes and words from Dolce & Gabbana. It has a shirt collar, a back yoke and a Dolce & Gabbana inscribed mother of pearl button front closure. It is covered in fabulous artifacts and scenes of Italy including the Colosseum, Statue of David, Italian sports car, Vespa, map of Florence...
Vintage 1998 Gucci by Tom Ford Black Tank Top
By Gucci
Located in London, GB
Vintage 1998 Gucci by Tom Ford black tank top . Features a black semi sheer fabric and spaghetti straps. In excellent vintage condition. Brand: Gucci Size: UK8-10 Colour: Brown, ...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2000 "Eye" Black Arch Cutout Fit & Flare Tank Top
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2000 "Eye" Black Arch Cutout Fit & Flare Tank Top Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: S/S 2000 "Eye" Style: Tank ...
S/S 2004 Gucci by Tom Ford Black Bandage Bodycon Stretch Off-the-Shoulder Top
By Gucci, Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Gucci top from the Spring/Summer 2004 collection by Tom Ford is cut in a fitted silhouette. It is constructed in black stretch knit strips with an off-the-shoulder neckline and ...
FENDI SS 00 Pink Chiffon Longline Split Top
Located in Eivissa, ES
Fendi S/S 2000 Pink Chiffon Sheer Top A delicate and feminine sheer top from Fendi’s Spring/Summer 2000 collection, capturing the lightness and romantic sensibility of early 2000s d...
NWT F/W 2003 Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford Black Silk Ruffle Strapless Top
By Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche top from the Fall/Winter 2003 collection by Tom Ford is a strapless black silk construction with layered ruffles, some connected by small ties. A ...
Pink tee-shirt with Geisha patchwork appliqué JOHN GALLIANO
By John Galliano
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Pink tee-shirt with Geisha patchwork appliqué. Fabric composition: 100% cotton Patchwork fabric composition: silk, lycra, rayon, nylon and lurex SIZE S
Printed veil cotton tunique HERMES
By Hermès
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Printed veil cotton tunique with branded button and buttonhole on the shoulder and on both side. ONE SIZE
1990s Todd Oldham paint by numbers silk blouse
By Todd Oldham
Located in Austin, TX
1990s Todd Oldham paint by numbers silk blouse Condition: Very good Size M
1992 Todd Oldham beaded tie dye top
By Todd Oldham
Located in Austin, TX
1992 S/S TODD OLDHAM Multicolored Beaded Tie Dye Tee Condition: Excellent 40" bust, 38" waist, 41" hips, 26.5" length
1994 Todd Oldham Flame Tee Sheer
By Todd Oldham
Located in Austin, TX
1994 Todd Oldham sheer stretch flame tee. Condition: Excellent 100% polyester. Size Small Bust: 26", Waist: 26", Length: 17.5"
Todd Oldham New Abstract Pattern Striped Silk Shirt 1980s
By Todd Oldham
Located in Water Mill, NY
A whimsical silk shirt from Todd Oldham in brightly colored vertical stripes with an abstract shapes print in black. It is full cut with a shirt collar and pretty glass buttons in different colors along the center front. It has dropped shoulders and full cut French cuff sleeves with fabulous glass cuff links...
Todd Oldham Web Back T Shirt 1980s
By Todd Oldham
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black cotton t shirt from Todd Oldham. A simple short sleeve t shirt from the front but the back is an intricate silk cord spider web pattern. It slips on over the head ...
1980s Todd Oldham Vintage Horse Back Silk Shirt
By Todd Oldham
Located in Water Mill, NY
A great silk shirt from Todd Oldham. It has short sleeves and a shirt collar with copper coiled buttons up the front. The colors and patterns are signature Todd Oldham consisting o...
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Size: Small / Medium
1990s Todd Oldham Op Art Blue + White Vintage Sleeveless Cotton Rhinestone Top
By Todd Oldham
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare and amazing 90s TODD OLDHAM blue and white op-art sleeveless blouse! Features a hand painted cartoon character on the front with tiny dots th...
Todd Oldham Zig Zag Multi-Color Men's Snap-Front Shirt
By Todd Oldham
Located in New York, NY
Todd Oldham's wonderful multi-color zig-zag men's shirt has detailed silver hardware snap buttons, as well as two on each sleeve's cuff. Snaps is engraved with his signature logo. Th...