Diesel Bids Farewell to Creative Director Glenn Martens in Milan
Diesel bids farewell to creative director Glenn Martens with an unconventional Milan party for Spring-Summer 2027, concluding six years of transformative design.
Diesel is parting ways with Glenn Martens, but doing so in a way that perfectly suits his tenure at the brand—without a quiet farewell or a conventional runway show. The Spring-Summer 2027 collection, presented in Milan, marked the Belgian designer's final outing as creative director. Instead of a traditional event, Diesel turned the presentation into a massive, unconventional party. Martens' departure follows six years in the role, during which he fundamentally transformed the brand's visual language and image.
An Immersive Milan Experience
In a space specially transformed for the event, some 200 performers from the Marseille-based art collective (LA)HORDE took over. They did not simply perform on stage; they mingled with guests, creating interactions that ranged from bizarre and surprising to intense and sensual. As the presentation progressed, the atmosphere evolved, culminating in a peak set to a remixed version of Donna Summer's hit "Love to Love You Baby."
The party always comes first at Diesel, said Martens, emphasizing the connection between uninhibited self-expression, pleasure, and shared experience.
A Legacy of Bold Transformation
Martens' departure closes a chapter in which he successfully reshaped Diesel's standing in the global fashion industry. Since his appointment in 2020, he expanded the brand's signature aesthetic, blending its core denim heritage with experimental designs and turning Diesel's fashion shows into cultural events.
This bold approach helped reconnect Diesel with a younger audience. The brand, once primarily associated with standard denim, reclaimed its prominent status among fashion-conscious youth. Alongside apparel, accessories like the iconic 1DR bags became central to its modern footprint.
Positioned firmly in the premium and high-end categories—above mass-market labels but typically below the highest couture houses—Diesel now faces the task of maintaining this momentum. The identity of the incoming creative director has not yet been announced.
