Awaiting the arrival of a new creative director, Moschino’s 40th-anniversary show in Milan was a high-energy extravaganza, capturing the spirit of the brand and celebrating powerful women. As the late Franco Moschino’s legacy, the show demonstrated a unique blend of satire, fierceness, and wordplay, keeping the audience engaged and entertained throughout.
For this landmark event, Moschino collaborated with four prominent international stylists: Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele, Katie Grand, Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, and Lucia Liu. Each stylist was tasked with creating 10 distinct looks, paying homage to Moschino’s signature style and wit. Together, they orchestrated a show that elicited knowing grins, smiles, and generous applause from the audience.
Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele added her unique touch of humor to the collection by labeling classic pants, jackets, and raincoats with tongue-in-cheek patches. Her maximalist approach was evident as she adorned everything with giant crystals, infusing the collection with a sense of irreverent glamour.
Gabriella Karefa-Johnson’s segment paid homage to Moschino’s cowboy and biker looks from the early ’90s. Models strutted down the vast U-shaped runway to the pulsing beats of Beyoncé’s “Pure/Honey,” embodying the spirit of those iconic fashion moments. Their expressive modeling felt fresh and contemporary, capturing the essence of Moschino’s rebellious spirit.
Lucia Liu put her own twist on Moschino’s original slogan, “Stop the Fashion System,” with her clever update: “Protect Us From the Fashion System.” Her segment explored the complex relationship between fashion and society, using innovative designs and thought-provoking messaging.
Katie Grand unleashed a bold collection featuring message T-shirts with slogans like “Loud Luxury” and catsuits adorned with giant exclamation or question marks. In the show notes, Grand pondered whether luxury and good taste could withstand the noise of the world. Her collection was brought to life by a dynamic troupe of elite dancers choreographed by Wayne McGregor.
The show’s touching finale featured a surprising rendition of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Am What I Am” by concert violinist Laura Marzadori, who strolled out in a black gown with a peace-sign bodice. This emotional moment marked the conclusion of the show, with 40 models wearing T-shirts to raise funds for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
In the wake of Jeremy Scott’s departure from Moschino, the brand’s future creative director will have big shoes to fill. This anniversary show not only celebrated four decades of Moschino but also showcased the brand’s ability to continually innovate and captivate its audience with its irreverent, empowering, and fashion-forward spirit. Whoever takes the reins will undoubtedly face the challenge of maintaining Moschino’s unique legacy of bold creativity and social commentary.
