The Moschino Quandry

Moschino is one of those odd labels which in my head, I THINK I should be hating due to the dodgy knock-off jumpers and bling-bling streetwear associations it had in the early 90’s similar to what happened with Dolce & Gabbana and Versace.  It was created by Franco Moschino in 1983 as the label that epitomised ‘classico con twist’ – classical twist.  Bad logo jumpers and gold necklaces aside, I’ve somehow managed to pick up five or six pieces of Moschino or Moschino Cheap & Chic over the years.  For a label that in my mind, I have no massive love for, it’s interesting how much has made its way into my wardrobe.  A grey jersey corset top, a scalloped trim miniskirt, a heart printed shirt (the V&R for H&M collection ruined the heart thing for me alas…), a pair of gem encrusted leather gloves and a wacky garish t-shirt I found in a charity shop.  That humorouristic and light-hearted (heart being the operative word…) side of Moschino is the side that appeals to me and I do find myself liking pieces from every season so I really should just shake off that initial shirk of that label.   

As Mrs Fashion reported a week ago, Yoox have gotten hold of Moschino’s historical archives and offering one-off pieces that are signature Moschino.  There are 241 pieces of womenswear, 76 pieces of menswear (last time I checked!) and after quite painfully going through the whole selection (Yoox loads up rather slow for me and with only a few items per page, it did take a while!), I found myself coveting more than 20 things which again brings to mind my odd relationship with this label.  The prices are also not silly-silly as any regular thrifter will know that a relatively young label like Moschino does turn up in quite a bit at jumble sales, charity shops and vintage stores so Yoox thankfully haven’t priced them as collectible rarities.

It’s a sale that is well worth a look-in despite my initial protestations at my supposed dislike of this label (which I now have realised is a complete fallacy… ).  Cute gloves, funny foulards, comical swimsuits (worn as tops over t-shirts is what I’m into at the moment…) as well as classic black dresses, elegant polka dots and minimalist shirts – it’s all there for slow browsing (let me know if your ADSL connection is faring better with Yoox than mine…). 

The proceeds of the sale go to the AMREF foundation, responsible for improving schooling in Kenya which is also a nice fuzzy-hearted shopping touch   

22 comments

  1. I am a Moschino fanatic.Got quite a collections myself. They’re the most fun brand to wear. I have a similar relationship with Fiorucci. People may associate it with tacky Italian chuchi wear, but they actually come out with some v.ery fantastic things. It’s all so kitchy 90’s

  3. I liked the shape of the Cheap and Chic perfume bottle…but the pieces look nice. It should be worth a look.

  5. Gasp! I love Moschino and just went shopping. I blame it all on you! I always loved his sense of whimsy. I remember when Franco died and people thought that line would go with him, but it’s still merrily rolling along.

  7. I think the gloves are quite nice, and I am surprised with some garments from this brand, brand from which I had not considered to buy anything at all.

  8. P.P.S I love the grey and green ruffled sweater that you have in your first collage, but I have an insanely ruffled Ossie Clark sweater in grey, so I think I have enough grey knit ruffles. But I’m sure this one will find a loving home!

  10. I am closer to being a yes on this brand if I could find more of it. I have a dress and top so far. I just love their use of color.

  11. I think for me, liking Moschino is a bit like being a Duran Duran fan–I’ve just learned to embrace the cheesiness and just take what works for me.
    I was eying up the fuschia skirt and the marching band skirt earlier, but I’m trying to adhere to my buying embargo . . .

  12. Love the coat that you chose, Susie.
    But the conotations with bling and the early 90’s that I actually lived as a teenager are too much for my taste. The shirts at the site looked like something my teachers wore at the time. Arggg..

  13. that’s funny that Fiorucci is mentioned ^. i associate moschino with them also, at least in spirit. i don’t think of them as a rip off brand. they didn’t start like that. i think perhaps a lot of what he played with become more pervasive over the years and looking back it almost looks to be a ripoff brand. and also it seemed to be a brand that never got to the top of the pile. i always felt a little snobby about them too. but he knowingly played with elements of other designers styles. anyway. it’s a funny brand.

  18. OMG, Moschino was anything but a ripoff brand…Franco was a trend-setter and high, high end. Things changed after he died but people are remembering the later days and totally forgetting about the awesome early days.

  19. Moschino is always a bit of an under the radar one for me – because of the kitschy conotations when one finds something cool, lovely and wearable it always feels like so much more of a find than buying something Marc or Miu Miu (the other M’s) which you would expect to be ‘nice’ and therefore I always treasure my pieces so much more!
    Mrs F x

  20. hey, talking about fiorucci: I have a fiorucci belt from the 70s which my mum gave to me, she bought it in the 70s when fiorucci wasn´t as expensive and famous as it is now and hardly anyone knew the brand!
    and by the way, i LOVE moschino. the accessoires, the perfumes, the clothes, everything.
    xxx cate
    http://retrolifestyle.blogspot.com/

  21. Funny you mentioned Heimstone deexsd, I was also hoping for a post about this brand, probably for me the most beautiful clothes I’ve seen in years.

  22. Wow…a lot of Moschino lovers (and some haters…). Glad the sale yielded good things for you WendyB (4 comments on one post! Thanks for the Moschino love…!).
    As for Heimstone – alas, though I was very much taken by the designs on the website, having seen the clothes in person at various tradeshows, I’m not so convinced. It’s the sort of label that will naturally garner a lot of press from Nylon, Lula etc for its wearability and prettiness. Yet for the prices they charge, it’s a little too watered down for my tastes.

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