Diesel returns to Milan Fashion Week with an unforgettable runway show experience open to the public
Cape Town, South Africa. September 21, 2023 – Last night, Diesel showcased their highly anticipated Spring/Summer 2024 collection like only the Diesel brand can—a fashion mega show in the middle of a free 8-hour rave with NTS for over 7000 guests. The show took place at Scalo Farini under the patronage of the Municipality of Milan, with 6,000 tickets for the public and 1500 of those prioritised for students.
True to Diesel’s spirit, that represents impact, experimentation, pleasure, and play: the Spring/Summer 2024 is a collection for partying as a way of being. “Diesel loves to party, so we invited over 7000 people to our free rave, and then everybody to our free weekend film festival. The collection is the spirit of Diesel, democratic and experimental in every piece. I believe in living life to the fullest, that every day should be a party,” said Glenn Martens, creative director of Diesel.
And the show isn’t over: once the night ended, the giant 26-metre by 16-metre backdrop screen was converted into a movie screen and will be showing free films curated by Diesel, to be enjoyed by everyone all weekend. To celebrate the free movie festival, film poster prints from Diesel action films, sci-fi, and even girl band movies will be printed clean on T-shirts, laser-cut printed leather tops, skirts, and dresses, resembling glued billboards fading from the rain and sun. Artisanal zip-up jackets are made from scrunching real-life posters to make a silhouette like a fur.
Make sure to go to diesel.co.za to watch the full runway show.
Below is more about the Spring/Summer 2024 collection and key details:
THE DISTRESSED EFFECT
This is Diesel that’s all about the moment, with distressing that’s often unique for every garment. A sheer mini tank dress has a stitched layer of jersey that’s been randomly burnt out, as if the jersey is peeling away. Meanwhile, jersey is bonded onto jersey then distressed, like on a men’s tank, and jeans are bonded with muslin like they’re encased.
The distressed effect is heightened with printing from the inside, like devoré denim pieces printed from the inside with the red DIESEL logo. Elsewhere, burnt-out camo is printed from the inside with camo for a hoodie and pants; devoré denim jeans and tailored jackets are printed from the inside with pinstripe; crystal embellished devoré denim bra-tops, jeans, and minidresses are printed on the inside with dreamy florals. There’s more distressing on inside-out jacquard indigo-treated knits to resemble distressed denim. They have their threads uncut, like cobweb ladders on cardigans, tops, and dresses.
UTILITY
Utility is pushed to the max, with zip-up denim tops, pants, and skirts that can be worn separately or zippered together to make boilersuits. What look like cargo pants are just cargo pockets, held together by straps. Belt bags become garments, like three belt bags joined together to make a bandeau top or three belt bags draped to make a miniskirt.
UNDERWEAR
Underwear is everything on sheer tops and dresses with stitch lines for a bra and thong. Some are ruched, others are like bodies, with versions too in black and metallics. To begin, the underwear lines pop in contrast colour, but then they become the same tone, for a golden lurex dress as if a Hollywood award statue. Red carpet tuxedos almost disappear with devoré, while the jersey wrap of gowns appear from bra tops, or the hip.
FOOTWEAR & BAGS
D-Vina Charm strappy heels have film poster prints, while D-Woodstock slip-on heels have curved toes, as do D-Woodstock sandals like a metal cage of the Diesel D. Thigh-high D-Cloud boots and slip-on heels are in moulded denim, giving the impression of bootlaces, while D-Hammer men’s boots are moulded with a Diesel D. Play bags are printed with Diesel movie posters; 1DR bags come with chunky metallic chains.
ACCESSORIES
Chokers and arm cuffs are like tattoos, and Diesel Eyewear sunglasses, in special collaboration with Essilor Luxottica, have movie-star fine metal frames and wrapping acetate goggles-like styles. Rubber-strap Streamline watches have a vertebrae case; a new collection of sterling silver bracelets and necklaces are cut with a shine just like diamonds.
RUNWAY SHOW CREDITS :
Creative Director: Glenn Martens
Styling: Ursina Gysi
Hair: Gary Gill
Make-up: Inge Grognard for @MACcosmetics
Set Design and Art Direction: Sayan Benbady
Original Soundtrack Composer: Senjan Jansen
VJ: Yusuke Murakami
Casting: Establishment NY
Beverage partner: Bulldog Gin