The story of Moschino and Moschino Couture 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 Couture bags, shirts, pants, jackets and other clothing on 1stDibs.
Vintage Moschino Couture Tree Bark + Hearts 1990s Novelty Flared Hem Trousers
By Moschino Couture, Moschino
Located in San Diego, CA
Wonderful vintage 90s MOSCHINO COUTURE brown and black 'tree bark and hearts' printed flared leg pants! Awesome novelty print, with an equally impressive fit! Mid-rise crotch, with f...
Black trouser with gold metal chain embellishment MOSCHINO COUTURE
By Moschino Couture
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black trouser with gold metal chain embellishment mixed with black gros-grain. Fabric composition: 64% triacetate, 36% polyester. Pocket on both side + 2 pockets on the back. Butto...
Moschino Couture, Leather Pants with Large Metal Rings on the Sides, new
By Moschino Couture
Located in Basaluzzo, IT
Spectacular Moschino Couture pants! Crafted from soft Italian sheepskin, they feature an extremely striking design and the Maison’s unmistakable creative spirit. The design is embel...
Moschino Couture New Graffiti Leggings Pants
By Moschino Couture
Located in Water Mill, NY
Fabulous leggings from Moschino Couture. They are fitted, covered in a white graffiti pattern on a black background. and have zippers at the outer ankles of each leg. Fits size Smal...
Moschino Couture RUNWAY Pre Fall 2016 Red Black Plaid Silk Zipper Bondage Pants
By Moschino Couture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fashion History: Seen in Look 24 of Moschino's Pre Fall 2016 runway collection, these trousers capture the collection's fusion of punk, fetish, and industrial workwear. Under Creativ...
Vintage 1970's North Beach Leather Hippie Whipstitch Sailor Pants and Vest
By North Beach Leather
Located in Oakland, CA
This is a vintage North Beach Leather suede set of pants and vest. Vintage 1970s handmade North Beach Leather suede leather pants in a sailor-pant style. Whipstitch construction, 8-b...
Vintage 1970's North Beach Leather Whipstitch Sailor Pants
By North Beach Leather
Located in Oakland, CA
Vintage 1970s handmade North Beach Leather deerskin pants in a sailor-pant style. Whipstitch construction, 8-button front. These are in good condition, especially for a pair of this...
Alexander McQueen S/S 2009 Crystal Kaleidoscope Skeleton Print Leggings XS
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed by Alexander McQueen for the Spring Summer 2009 "Natural Dis-tinction, Un-Natural Selection" collection. Features the now iconic skeleton print formed by a symmetric crystal...
Alexander McQueen Fall 2002 RUNWAY Dark Denim Pants with Corseted Back of Legs
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fashion History: Designed for Alexander McQueen's Fall 2002 collection, these jeans embody Lee Alexander McQueen's fascination with combining traditional craftsmanship and historica...
CHRISTIAN DIOR John Galliano Vintage 2001 Silk & Devoré Velvet Wide Leg Trousers
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior
Located in Woodland Hills, CA
A rare find from Christian Dior’s Fall/Winter 2001 collection under John Galliano, these wide-leg pants combine painterly multicolored semi-sheer silk with richly textured devoré vel...
$7,400
Size: Size tag removed
GUCCI by TOM FORD Archival FW 1999 Purple Lamé Floral Lace Flared Evening Pants
By Tom Ford for Gucci, Gucci
Located in Woodland Hills, CA
An iconic design from Tom Ford's celebrated Fall/Winter 1999 collection for Gucci, these lace flared trousers were famously worn on the runway by Gisele Bündchen and featured in the ...
Gucci by Tom Ford AW2001 Wool & Leather Straight-Leg Pants
By Gucci, Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in Roma, IT
Gucci pants from the Tom Ford era The Fall/Winter 2001 fashion show redefined the concept of "luxury casual." The focus was on sharp silhouettes, tailored cuts, and a striking contra...
Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Black Velvet Capri Pants- 1979
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in PARIS, Paris
From Saint Laurent's Autumn/Winter 1979 runway and part of the celebrated Ballet Russes collection, these rare black velvet capri pants are made in France, embroidered with black sil...
Roberto Cavalli Tapestry Renaissance FW2001 Denim Pants
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Roma, IT
Roberto Cavalli Fall/Winter 2001 This special pair of jeans features a sophisticated tapestry-style/Renaissance pattern (Tapestry Renaissance) on a cotton denim base with a slight a...
$2,190
Size: See Measurement in description
PRADA S/s 2008 Fairy Collection Purple Geometric Extravagant Flared Pants
By Prada
Located in 上海市, Xuhui district
For Prada's Spring/Summer 2008 collection, Miuccia Prada collaborated with Taiwanese-American artist James Jean to create a whimsical, Art Nouveau-inspired collection featuring fairy...
$3,500
Size: See Measurement in description
GUCCI By Tom Ford S/s 2002 Black Heart Cutout Denim Oversized Jeans
By Tom Ford for Gucci, Gucci
Located in 上海市, Xuhui district
These bold and playful black oversized wide-leg pants from GUCCI spring 2002 collection feature unique heart-shaped cutouts cascading along one leg, adding a flirty and modern edge t...
$2,290
Size: See Measurement in description
GUCCI By Tom Ford S/s 1998 Black Satin Crystal G String Buckle Pants
By Tom Ford for Gucci, Gucci
Located in 上海市, Xuhui district
*THIS PAIR OF PANTS ARE AVAILABLE IN BOTH 38 AND 40* Exude sophistication with these expertly tailored trousers by Gucci. Rendered in a sleek midnight hue, they feature a streamline...
Vivienne Westwood lace screen printed denim corset and jeans, fw 1992
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
Vivienne Westwood lace screen printed denim corset and high rise slim jeans Fall-Winter 1992
Dolce&Gabbana S/S 2000 Bondage Belted Leather Pants
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Caserta, IT
- Designed by Dolce&Gabbana - Spring Summer 2000 - Runway Item - Bondage Belted Leather Black Pants - Bondage application at the waist - Silver metal hardwares - Button closure - Zip...
JOHN GALLIANO Pantalone slim nero in tessuto denim stretch
By John Galliano
Located in Milano, IT
Pantalone slim in denim stretch di John Galliano. Sul davanti quattro tasche, due con zip oblique e tiretto con logo John Galliano. Dietro due tasche doppio filetto sono chiuse con b...
MOSCHINO COUTURE Size 34 Orange Polyester Polyurthane Casual Pants
By Moschino Couture
Located in San Francisco, CA
MOSCHINO COUTURE pants comes in a orange polyester / polyurethane featuring a skinny fit and a zip fly closure. Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. Light marks. As-is. Marked: I 50 / EU...
Moschino Couture Denim Sequins Overalls - Salopette
By Moschino Couture, Moschino
Located in Capri, IT
Clear sequins create a shimmering effect on these casual Moschino overall salopette. A large faux pocket accents the bib, and 4 pockets detail the shorts. Adjustable straps. Button s...
Moschino Couture Drawstring Pants
By Moschino Couture, Moschino
Located in Austin, TX
Moschino Couture creme drawstring pants with pockets. Acetate and Rayon fabric. 25" elastic waist, 26" hips, 27" inseam, 38" length. Condition: Excel...