Diesel appoints Glenn Martens as new creative director

Diesel has appointed Belgian designer Glenn Martens as its new creative director, “effective immediately.”

Martens joins the Italian denim powerhouse from Parisian brand Y/Project where, also as creative director, he has built a reputation for denim innovation since 2013. He began his career at Jean Paul Gaultier.

In his new role, Martens will overview the global brand’s style, communications, interior design and “more in general its overall creativity.”

In 2017, Martens won the ANDAM award, of which Diesel parent company, OTB, is one of the historical supporters, and in 2018 he was one of the guest designers of Diesel’s experimental capsule series Diesel Red Tag.

Renzo Rosso, president of OTB, said: “Ever since I met Glenn in 2017, I saw his experience grow and his talent cement. Working with him on Diesel Red Tag, going through our company’s archives and heritage together, and seeing him interact with the brand, brought us closer.

“I am happy to now see him take the helm of Diesel, where he will marry his design vision with the iconoclastic values of this unique brand.”

Martens added: “I am extremely honoured and excited to join the Diesel family. Synonymous with radicality, honesty and optimism, Diesel helped shape the way we see the future. Its unique voice has made it an undeniable icon.

“Today, more than ever, I feel the need to celebrate these founding values and to build bridges through a message of hope.”