The appointment of Andrea Rigogliosi as CEO marks a turning point for Diesel, as the brand moves to consolidate global growth and strengthen its position as a contemporary alternative to traditional luxury.
Diesel enters a new strategic chapter with the appointment of Andrea Rigogliosi as its new Chief Executive Officer, nearly three years after the departure of Eraldo Poletto. The Italian executive joins the brand reporting directly to Ubaldo Minelli, CEO of parent company OTB Group, at a crucial moment for the label’s evolution and positioning.
The announcement has been backed by Renzo Rosso, founder of Diesel and chairman of OTB, who highlighted the brand’s distinctive role within today’s fashion landscape. According to Rosso, Diesel now represents “a real alternative to traditional luxury,” driven by values such as inclusivity, accessibility and a strong cultural connection with younger generations. This vision is closely tied to the creative transformation led by Glenn Martens, Creative Director since 2020, whose approach has reactivated the house’s most authentic DNA.
The arrival of Andrea Rigogliosi reflects the need to consolidate that creative momentum with a robust and experienced executive direction. The new CEO joins from Miu Miu, where he served as Global Head of Retail and Commercial, and brings extensive experience from within the LVMH ecosystem. His career includes senior roles as President of Europe at Fendi, General Manager at Christian Dior Couture in France, Monaco and Italy, as well as leadership positions at Poltrona Frau and L’Oréal. His profile signals a clear focus on retail, commercial strategy and international expansion.
The appointment follows a decade marked by frequent changes at the top of Diesel. After Poletto’s exit in February 2023—just seven months into the role—the brand was run on an interim basis by Minelli and Rosso. Previous CEOs included Massimo Piombini, Marco Agnolin, Alessandro Bogliolo and Daniela Riccardi, underscoring the need for greater strategic stability.
From a business perspective, Diesel continues to show resilience in a challenging market environment. At constant exchange rates, the brand’s revenues grew by 3.2% in 2024, while OTB posted €1.8 billion in turnover, down 5.2% year-on-year, impacted by a slowdown in China and a 15% decline in the wholesale channel. Despite this, Diesel, Maison Margiela, and the direct-to-consumer channel all reported growth.
Expansion remains a key pillar of Diesel’s strategy, particularly across Asia, with 16 store openings in 2024, including flagships in Seoul, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo Shibuya, alongside new points of sale in high-potential markets such as Bangalore, India. The brand has also strengthened its lifestyle positioning through a 10-year licensing agreement with EssilorLuxottica, debuting its first eyewear collection at the Spring 2024 show in Milan.
With Andrea Rigogliosi at the helm, Diesel reinforces its ambition to elevate its positioning, deepen its cultural relevance and establish itself as one of the most distinctive and credible players in contemporary fashion. A decisive phase in which creativity, business strategy and global expansion are once again aligned.
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