Moschino, the Italian luxury brand known for its colourful and quirky designs, has announced the appointment of Adrian Appiolaza as its new creative director. The Argentine designer, who has a decade of experience at Loewe and Chloé, will take over from Davide Renne, who passed away unexpectedly in November 2023.
Appiolaza will make his debut with Moschino’s fall-winter 2024 women’s collection, which will be presented on February 22 at the Museo della Permanente in Milan. The venue has a special significance for the brand, as it hosted the exhibition “Moschino – X anni di Kaos! 1983-1993” in 1993, celebrating the first decade of the brand founded by Franco Moschino.
Who is Adrian Appiolaza?
Appiolaza, 51, was born in Buenos Aires and studied fashion design at the University of Palermo. He moved to Paris in 1998, where he worked for Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu, and Chloé. In 2014, he joined Loewe as the creative director for women’s ready-to-wear, working alongside Jonathan Anderson. He left Loewe in 2023 to pursue his own projects.
Appiolaza is known for his eclectic and sophisticated style, which combines elements of art, culture, and history. He is also passionate about sustainability and social responsibility, and often uses recycled, organic, or vegan materials in his creations.
What can we expect from his Moschino debut?
Appiolaza said he was honoured and excited to join Moschino, a brand that he admires for its explosive creativity and theatrical flair. He said he was inspired by the legacy of Franco Moschino, who used fashion as a medium of communication, education, and activism.
“I am ready to transport the maison into a new chapter, with a theatrical touch, in the pure style of Moschino,” he said in a statement. “The jackets with 3-D postcards, the dress with a skirt made with twenty bras, the countless trompe-l’oeil… the list of creations by Franco Moschino that have entered the history of fashion is almost endless.”
Appiolaza also hinted that his collection will have a strong connection to his personal and professional journey, as well as to the current social and environmental challenges that the world is facing.
“The essence of his talent, for me, is to inhabit his time – a mission he carried out with enviable lightness, opening a window for all of us to imagine, in our own way, the future,” he said.
How did the fashion industry react to his appointment?
Appiolaza’s appointment was welcomed by the fashion industry, which praised his talent, vision, and energy. Massimo Ferretti, the executive chairman of Aeffe, the parent company of Moschino, said he was impressed by Appiolaza’s explosive creativity and enthusiasm, which matched the history of the brand.
“I wish Adrian all the best to build a great success story with us,” he said.
Other fashion insiders, such as editors, buyers, and influencers, also expressed their support and curiosity for Appiolaza’s debut. Some of them shared their memories of working with him at Loewe and Chloé, and others said they were looking forward to seeing his interpretation of Moschino’s DNA.
Appiolaza’s debut will be one of the most anticipated shows of the Milan Fashion Week, which will take place from February 19 to 25. The show will be broadcasted online, as well as in selected locations around the world.
