MILAN – Almost three years after the exit of Eraldo Poletto, Diesel has named a new chief executive officer.
Andrea Rigogliosi is joining the Italian brand and reporting to Ubaldo Minelli, CEO of parent OTB Group.
“Diesel is a magical brand, which I founded, and that has always represented a unique force in the fashion landscape. Glenn Martens’ creative direction has transformed it, rediscovering its most authentic DNA and making the brand fresher, more contemporary, and increasingly loved by younger generations,” Renzo Rosso, chairman of OTB, said in a statement. “Today, Diesel can be considered the only alternative to the luxury world, embodying values such as inclusivity and accessibility—particularly significant in a complex moment for the entire fashion industry. Recently, I have closely followed the brand’s development with a team of managers, while we navigated a challenging market phase. I am delighted to welcome Andrea to Diesel, and, together with the team, I am sure that he will further enhance Diesel’s potential at a crucial stage in the brand’s evolution.”
Rigogliosi was previously global head of retail and commercial at Miu Miu.
Over the years, he held several positions within the LVMH Group, including president of Europe at Fendi, general manager of France and Monaco and general manager of Italy at Christian Dior Couture.
Earlier in his career, he took on managerial roles at Poltrona Frau Group and L’Oréal Luxury Products.
Diesel was helmed ad interim by Minelli and Rosso as the brand has seen a frequent succession of CEOs in the past decade. Poletto exited that role in February 2023 after only seven months. He followed Massimo Piombini, who had joined Diesel in February 2020 succeeding Bershka executive Marco Agnolin, who left his role as CEO of the brand at the end of March 2019, after little more than a year. Agnolin succeeded Alessandro Bogliolo and Daniela Riccardi.
Rosso has touted the evolution of Diesel under the creative direction of Martens, who joined in the fall of 2020. The entrepreneur is known for having strong growth ambitions for the brand, aiming to raise its positioning in the luxury range.
While the group does not break out sales by brand, as reported, at constant exchange rates, Diesel revenues in 2024 were up 3.2 percent.
While Diesel, OTB brand Maison Margiela and the direct-to-consumer channel all reported growth, the slowdown in China and a 15 percent decrease in the group’s wholesale channel impacted OTB’s turnover, which decreased 5.2 percent to 1.8 billion euros, compared with 1.9 billion euros in 2023. OTB, which also controls Marni, Jil Sander, Viktor & Rolf, Staff International and Brave Kid, and has a stake in Amiri, has been eyeing an initial public offering.
Diesel in 2024 opened 16 stores across Asia with flagships in Seoul, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo Shibuya, and points of sale in high potential locations such as Bangalore, India.
Diesel also inked a 10-year license with EssilorLuxottica, with the first eyewear collection presented with the spring 2024 show in Milan.
