Brand intelligence
Diesel
Diesel is an Italian fashion brand founded by Renzo Rosso in 1978—not 1987—around denim, casualwear and an irreverent global communication language. The company became the foundation of Rosso's wider OTB group while Diesel remained a distinct brand spanning denim, ready-to-wear, accessories and licensed categories. Glenn Martens became creative director in 2020 and continues in that role alongside his separate appointment at Maison Margiela. OTB is privately held and reports group results that include Maison Margiela, Jil Sander, Marni and other businesses; OTB consolidated revenue, licensee sales and media estimates are not attributed to Diesel unless a disclosure explicitly identifies Diesel scope.
- Country
- Italy
- Founded
- 1978
- Founder
- Renzo Rosso
- Ownership
- OTB
- Documented milestones
- 5
- Renzo Rosso — Founder1978–Present · house · current · OTB
- Wilbert Das — Creative Director1988–2009 · all fashion · former · OTB
- Nicola Formichetti — Artistic Director2013–2017 · all fashion · former · Business of Fashion
- Glenn Martens — Creative Director2020–2026 · house · former · AP
- Andrea Rigogliosi — Chief Executive Officer2026–Present · house · current · OTB
- 1978 — Diesel foundedRenzo Rosso establishes the denim brand.
- 1985 — Rosso takes controlThe founder gains full control of Diesel.
- 1996 — New York flagshipDiesel opens on Lexington Avenue.
- 2002 — OTB structureRosso establishes the group that later owns multiple fashion houses.
- 2020 — Martens appointedGlenn Martens becomes creative director of Diesel.