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September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Money & Work • Fashion

Mossimo Giannulli

Mossimo Giannulli is an American fashion designer best known for founding the clothing brand Mossimo in 1986.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Mossimo Giannulli is an American fashion designer who founded the Mossimo brand in 1986. He later gained notoriety for his involvement in the 2019 U.S. college admissions scandal.

The Mossimo brand

Giannulli founded Mossimo in 1986 as a surf- and streetwear-inspired clothing company. The brand grew through a licensing deal with Target that began in 2000, making it widely available in the U.S. He sold the company to Iconix Brand Group in 2006, after which the Mossimo name continued as a licensed brand.

Operation Varsity Blues involvement

In 2019, Giannulli and his wife, actress Lori Loughlin, were charged in a college admissions bribery scheme. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five months in prison, a fine, and community service. He served his sentence from November 2020 to April 2021.

Personal and business background

Born in Los Angeles in 1963, Giannulli attended the University of Southern California before leaving to start his business. He has been married to Lori Loughlin since 1997. After the scandal, he largely stepped away from public view.

In short

  • Founded Mossimo clothing brand in 1986, later sold to Iconix in 2006.
  • Built a long-running licensing partnership with Target.
  • Pleaded guilty in the 2019 U.S. college admissions scandal.
  • Served five months in prison starting November 2020.

Quick questions

Who is Mossimo Giannulli?
He is an American fashion designer and the founder of the Mossimo clothing brand.
What is Mossimo Giannulli known for?
He is known for creating the Mossimo brand and for his role in the 2019 college admissions scandal.
Was Mossimo Giannulli involved in Operation Varsity Blues?
Yes. He was charged in the scandal, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mossimo_Giannulli
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, occupation, founding of Mossimo, and sale of the company to Iconix in 2006.
  2. The Hollywood Reporter — https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/who-is-lori-loughlin-s-husband-fashion-designer-mossimo-giannulli-1194254/
    Supports: Biographical background, Mossimo's growth, Target licensing relationship, and sale to Iconix.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11600100/
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, marriage to Lori Loughlin, and children.
  4. Geni — https://www.geni.com/people/Mossimo-Giannulli/6000000008280388755
    Supports: College admissions scandal charges, guilty plea, and prison sentence dates.
  5. Us Weekly — https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrities/mossimo-giannulli/
    Supports: Brand founding, sale to Iconix, marriage details, children, and sentencing details.
  6. Fox Business — https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/lori-loughlin-husband-mossimo-giannulli-fashion
    Supports: USC dropout claim, founding of Mossimo, and admissions scandal context.
  7. Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/mossimo-inc
    Supports: Company expansion, headquarters/production facilities, and Giannulli's role in Mossimo, Inc.