Glenn Martens Departs Diesel After Six-Year Creative Directorship, Continues at Maison Margiela

Glenn Martens, the acclaimed Creative Director who spearheaded a significant revitalization of the Italian denim powerhouse Diesel, is set to conclude his six-year tenure with the brand. His final collection for Diesel will be presented on September 22 during Milan Fashion Week, as part of the Spring/Summer 2027 (SS27) runway shows. This departure marks the end of a highly impactful period for Diesel, a brand established in 1978, which Martens successfully infused with renewed vitality, a cutting-edge aesthetic, and contemporary relevance for a new generation of fashion consumers.

Martens, who previously held the creative reins at Y/Project until 2024, joined Diesel in 2020. His appointment was seen as a strategic move to inject fresh perspective into the heritage denim label. Under his direction, Diesel experienced a notable resurgence, re-engaging younger audiences through his innovative designs and distinctive, often provocative, style. Renzo Rosso, the founder of Diesel and the Chairman of its parent company, OTB Group, expressed profound gratitude for Martens' contributions. In an official company statement, Rosso credited Martens with bringing "Diesel back to the centre of the global fashion conversation while preserving the openness, energy and accessibility that have always distinguished us." He further emphasized the company's deep appreciation for the transformative achievements realized during Martens' leadership.

The OTB Group, a prominent luxury conglomerate that also owns brands like Marni and Jil Sander, announced on Friday that Martens will not be leaving the group entirely. He will continue his significant creative role within the conglomerate, retaining his position as the Creative Director of Maison Margiela. Martens assumed the highly regarded creative leadership of Maison Margiela in 2025, taking over from John Galliano. His work at Margiela has consistently garnered critical acclaim, with designers and critics alike praising his commitment to upholding and evolving the brand's avant-garde and conceptual ethos.

As of the current reporting, Diesel has not yet announced an official successor to Glenn Martens as Creative Director. The news of his departure follows a period of intense creative output and a significant increase in brand visibility and desirability for Diesel on the global stage. Martens' influence is widely credited with repositioning the brand within the highly competitive fashion landscape, skillfully balancing its rich denim heritage with forward-thinking, experimental design. The upcoming SS27 show will serve as a final, definitive showcase of his visionary direction for Diesel before he fully dedicates his creative energies to Maison Margiela.