Fried eggs are universally renowned as a favourite breakfast food and a beloved Haribo confection. The Fried Egg is also an underwater crater south of the Azores, and Sarah Lucas made provocative use of them in her 1996 Self Portrait with Fried Eggs.
Fried eggs are universally renowned as a favourite breakfast food and a beloved Haribo confection. The Fried Egg is also an underwater crater south of the Azores, and Sarah Lucas made provocative use of them in her 1996 Self Portrait with Fried Eggs. Yet despite this widespread cultural significance, representations in high-end fashion are more difficult to find. But not impossible, as proved by this week’s Most Loved item on AnOther’s Love stream: a vintage Moschino Fried Egg Shirt.
Dating from 1989, just a year after the fashion house’s foundation, this item perfectly captures the insouciant eccentricity of Moschino’s design ethic. An eternally unpredictable and surrealism infused highlight on the often staid Milan fashion week calendar, past collections have included riotous takes on flamenco dancers, giant beercan dresses, and T-shirts bearing Karl Lagerfeld’s haughty putdown: "Moschino n'est pas un style, c'est un pastiche!" Yet while the egg print may merely have been visual fun, Moschino were also tapping into a wealth of symbolism. The humble egg is the symbol for birth and regeneration in almost all cultures across the world; most famously in the Christian tradition of exchanging eggs at Easter, a centuries old practice officially recognized by the church in 1610. Alternatively, the egg can be a mark of shame, with the phrase “egg on your face” deriving from the tendancy of theatre audience to express their discontent with incompetent performers by pelting them with eggs.
Past Moschino collections have included giant beercan dresses and T-shirts bearing Karl Lagerfeld’s haughty putdown: "Moschino n'est pas un style, c'est un pastiche!"
Clearly, in this case, being covered in egg is a matter of pride and great sartorial élan, and so we talk to Laura Bradley, AnOthermag.com’s commissioning editor and proud finder of this vintage treasure, about novelty items and the best breakfasts in London.
Why did you choose to love this shirt?
It made me laugh, which is arguably one of the most important things in life. Eggs are happy – last time I had them for breakfast with two friends, we made smily faces with ketchup. It's not my usual style – I rarely do patterns or colour – but I was drawn towards the graphic appeal of this shirt. I also really enjoy navy stripes.
How would you wear it?
With light blue vintage Levi's and some big shoes.
This item is something of a novelty, in Moschino's trademark surreal style - do you have any other unconventional outfits or garments that are guaranteed to cause comment?
My new bunny iPhone cover – I was inspired after I saw my friend Caroline Newell with one. It's another example of something not typical of my style but it feels right for now. It puts a smile on my face and most importantly, protects my phone. They are really cheap so we did a bulk order at AnOther HQ and now the bunnies are popping up all over the place.
Who else could you see working this look?
The brilliant Anna Piaggi. Or our fashion director Katie Shillingford who has a brilliant wardrobe of happy vintage shirts.
How do you like your eggs?
I'm not actually a fan of fried eggs – I enjoy them poached or scrambled. The Wolseley and the Rivington Grill do them very well.
Chicken or egg - which came first?
The chicken, for sure.
Text by Tish Wrigley
