Glenn Martens is leaving Diesel after six years as creative director. The Italian brand confirmed his departure on September 18, with the upcoming Spring Summer 2027 show in Milan set to mark his final collection for the house.
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Martens joined Diesel as creative director in October 2020, following his appointment by founder Renzo Rosso. During his tenure, he reshaped the brand’s creative direction through experimental denim, large-scale runway concepts and projects that opened Diesel’s fashion shows to a broader public. His work also formed part of a wider repositioning of the company, which OTB reported delivered Diesel its strongest performance in a decade in 2025.
“He has transformed the way the brand is perceived,” Rosso said in the announcement. He credited Martens with returning Diesel to the global fashion conversation while maintaining the accessibility and energy associated with the label.
Martens developed a distinctive visual language at Diesel around treated denim, distorted silhouettes and unconventional presentations. His runway projects included a show staged around giant inflatable figures, a set incorporating 200,000 boxes of Durex condoms, a free rave attended by thousands of guests, and the Spring Summer 2026 presentation that turned Milan into a citywide Diesel egg hunt.
His most recent Fall Winter 2026 collection drew from the aftermath of a night out, with garments featuring permanent creases, twisted constructions and distressed treatments. The show surrounded the collection with objects and props drawn from decades of Diesel history.
The departure leaves Martens to focus on Maison Margiela, where he has served as creative director since January 2025. He succeeded John Galliano at the Paris house while continuing his responsibilities at Diesel under parent company OTB Group.
Martens previously spent 11 years at Y/Project, leaving the Paris-based label in 2024. His appointment at Maison Margiela followed shortly afterward, placing him in charge of another OTB-owned house while he continued to oversee Diesel.
Diesel has yet to name a successor. The company said it will announce plans for its future creative direction “in due course.” Martens will present his final Diesel runway collection during Milan Fashion Week next week.
