June 21, 2026 |
Moschino has its new creative directors! Loris Messina and Simone Rizzo, who formally founded Sunnei, will lead the Italian house following the recent departure of Adrian Appioloza. Their first collection will be unveiled in September.
“We have always admired Franco Moschino’s ability to challenge conventions through creativity while maintaining a clear and consistent voice,” said the pair in a statement. “It is a rare quality. Moschino has always embodied this attitude as a cultural house driven by a strong, recognisable and radical point of view, using pop culture as a critical tool rather than merely an aesthetic language. Taking on the creative direction of the house means embracing this legacy and projecting it into the present reinforcing its relevance a n d its ability to shape the contemporary cultural imagination.”
The pair make an excellent fit for Moschino. Their Sunnei shows laced humour, wit and irony with desirable product that was easy to wear and fun, all codes shared by Franco Moschino himself.
Some of their most memorable Sunnei shows included a catwalk where models crowd-surfed and one season audience members were given paddles to rate looks out of 10 as they came down the catwalk. Their final collection, SS26, was a live Christie’s-style auction, where the designers themselves were up for bidding. Hours after the show they announced their departure.
“In the evolution of a fashion house, the ability to balance identity and innovation is essential,” said Massimo Ferretti, executive chairman of effe S.p.A. “Loris Messina and Simone Kizzo possess the qualities required to embrace this challenge.”
Photography by Dario Catellani.
