Troll Talk

Earlier this year, Moschino’s memorable game show–themed runway show in Milan featured Good Luck Trolls. The capsule collection, a partnership with Universal Brand Development, is finally available in time for the Trolls’ 60th anniversary. We got on the phone with creative director Jeremy Scott to talk about the dolls, why he put Hennessy Carolina (aka Cardi B’s sister) in the lookbook, and Moschino’s epic Dynasty-inspired Fall campaign.

Q: Let’s talk about the Good Luck Trolls. How did this all come about?

A: When I was thinking about the game show concept and working that out, I started thinking about all different kinds of things, such as shows like Press Your Luck and the noise and the Whammy. I thought, “I need a character.” We had been in touch with Universal and [SVP Global Design & Product Development] Stephanie Kraus; the whole team was a dream, and they had the Good Luck Trolls. I just thought it would make sense. It’s good luck because you want to win.

Q: Why did you decide to put Hennessy Carolina, Cardi B’s younger sister, in your lookbook?

A: Hennessy came to my [Spring ’19] show in New York in her orange wig and wearing one of my multicolored outfits. She looked so sensational and I thought, “Oh, my God! This would be perfect!” The orange hair reminded me of the Trolls, and gave this whole attitude and spin because I feel like they have sort of a hippie connotation. I went with a whole Dynasty approach to them with money and luxe, while keeping them playful. Hennessy seemed like the perfect embodiment of that. It’s very fab but colorful. Nothing hippie about it in that sense—it’s super contemporary.

Q: Did you know Hennessy?

A: We started becoming friends because she came to the show, and she looked so adorable and I loved her personality. She’s a gorgeous little sweetheart. Then, we had dinner and started hanging out. I think it was Cardi B’s birthday, and Hennessy sat on my lap for most of the night. I love her, and I love her girlfriend. She’s a chic modern lesbian. You’ve seen her girlfriend [Michelle Diaz], right? She’s gorgeous, too.

Q: Why do you think the Trolls have endured for so long?

A: They’re identifiable and clear, while at the same time being malleable. They evolved from being a wooden carved toy from a hippie commune to an emblem of the late ’60s, to then having an ’80s and ’90s rebirth within different parts of pop culture. Then, of course, today with contemporary films, they’ve gone on to become actual characters with actual names within the whole Troll film franchise. It’s like Madonna. Trolls are able to be a part of different decades and different times while still being able to be emblematic within them but still always being completely uniquely yourself and recognizable in that way.

Q: Is there a Troll from the collection you connect with?

A: I am very into the one in the gown on the pile of money. It’s so old Hollywood. Even just the whole idea, even though they’re not leprechauns, mixing all those references like that. I love that juxtaposition.

Q: You’ve just opened up a Moschino store on Madison Avenue. Why did you decide to open doors there?

A: Well, uptown ladies love Moschino, too! I know that some of them will travel down to Soho and tromp around on the cobblestones, but some of them won’t! I wanted to make sure we were able to give all the ladies a location. You never know when you’re stranded uptown and you’re going to need a little Moschino pick-me-up.

Q: The Dynasty parody campaign starring Gigi Hadid, Irina Shayk, and Joan Smalls is so great. Tell us about it!

A: I love Dynasty. It’s one of my favorite shows. I have all the DVDs. When I was thinking about the campaign, I naturally thought I would do another game show. It dawned on me—and this might sound a little arrogant— that I did the game show so well, I didn’t really know how I could do it any better. I had done everything the way I wanted it to be done. I thought, “What if I did something different with the decadence of the gowns and the jewels, that whole idea? What if I did an homage to Dynasty and soap operas?” A super over-the-top homage. Steven [Meisel] loved the idea, so we just went full-on for it. It was the most fun day of my life. It was such a distinct marker of the ’80s and fashion, and I will argue that [costume designer] Nolan Miller’s shoulder pads were what made people want to start wearing shoulder pads.

Q: He was incredible.

A: It was just pure fandom. Loving the show growing up, still being such a fan of it, and getting to bring it to life with Steven was a dream come true. I’ve never laughed so hard in my life on that set. The girls were just going at it. I’m so glad people have responded so fondly and favorably to the campaign.

By Eddie Roche