Moschino Names Sunnei Founders Loris Messina and Simone Rizzo as Creative Directors
The design duo takes the creative helm of the Italian luxury house following the departure of Adrian Appiolaza.
Summary
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Moschino has officially appointed Sunnei founders Loris Messina and Simone Rizzo as its new co-creative directors
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The strategic appointment follows the sudden departure of former creative director Adrian Appiolaza
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The design duo’s debut collection for the fashion house is scheduled to show during Milan Fashion Week in September 2026
Moschino has officially named Sunnei founders Loris Messina and Simone Rizzo as its new co-creative directors. The major appointment marks a rapid transition into a new creative era for the iconic Italian luxury house, following the unexpected departure of Adrian Appiolaza just days prior.
Messina and Rizzo are widely recognized for establishing the Milan-based contemporary label Sunnei in 2014, where they cultivated a distinct reputation built on community engagement, interactive performance, and a sharp sense of humor. The design duo stepped away from their independent label in September 2025 and are now tasked with leading the creative direction of one of Italy’s most satirically charged heritage brands. Their artistic approach aligns closely with the foundational spirit of founder Franco Moschino, who famously utilized pop culture and irony to critique consumption and luxury conventions.
Massimo Ferretti, Executive Chairman of Moschino’s parent company Aeffe S.p.A., highlighted that the pair possess the contemporary creative vision and deep cultural sensibility required to balance identity and innovation during this phase of the label’s restructuring. In an official statement, Messina and Rizzo expressed their long-held admiration for the house’s radical, recognizable point of view, emphasizing their goal to protect this legacy while projecting it into the contemporary cultural landscape.
