Since Diesel announced Damiano David, the Italian singer known for his captivating and gender-fluid style, as its first-ever male ambassador back in June, much has shifted for both the Maneskin frontman and the brand’s visionary leader, Glenn Martens. Martens, after announcing his departure from Y/Project in September, is now fully dedicated to Diesel (and a just-announced capsule collection with H&M launching in 2025). David, meanwhile, is also redirecting his energy, launching a solo career and debuting a fresh new look on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The two recently joined forces to create a capsule collection for Diesel that perfectly reflects their shared aesthetic: unapologetically sexy, playfully cheeky, and designed for a new generation. While the style of Gen Z was once hard to define, the past five years have seen a shift, fueled by talents like David and Martens, and a clear picture has emerged. Today’s style is gender-neutral, body-positive, rule-breaking, effortlessly cool, and most importantly, free. “It’s about projecting an energy of self-confidence and power, what we call ‘coolness,'” David says. “Charisma is what makes people attractive, sexy, and interesting.” I sat down with David and Martens to delve into their creative partnership, their shared perspectives on fashion and gender, and the unique way they replicated David’s tattoos on a second-skin top. Read on for all of this and a tip on how to embrace your own sexy, whether it’s in your own skin or, if you’re feeling bold, in David’s.
A Meeting of Minds: How Two Creative Forces Converged
How did your paths first cross?
Glenn Martens:
I’m a bit of a workaholic, as you can imagine, and usually stick to my classics – in music, that would be Portishead or Massive Attack, bands from my teenage years. I’m not always up-to-date on the latest music, so I didn’t discover Damiano through that. I discovered him because he was always wearing Diesel in a very sexy way. When his fans tagged me, I was like, “Who is this guy who always looks so good?” Then I discovered Måneskin and realized he was actually quite talented, and the music was amazing.Damiano David:
I’ve always been aware of Diesel as a brand. My mom, a big fashion enthusiast, freaked out when I told her I was going to be working on this because she’s always been a huge fan. She even asked me to design something specifically for her, though unfortunately, we didn’t get around to it. There was a period last year where I basically only wore Diesel, even before we started working together, so it was cool when they reached out.Elevating the Ambassadorship: From Style Icon to Collaborator
When did you decide to take Damiano’s ambassadorship to the next level and create a collection? Or was that always the plan?
Martens:
When I arrived four years ago, there was a lot of work to be done. We had to restructure the brand, reconnect with the Diesel DNA, and rebuild its core values. We needed to define the person behind the brand, so that was the main focus. There wasn’t really a moment to think about having an ambassador. Then, last year, the brand felt more stable, so we started discussing the idea. It was about being diverse, authentic, and inclusive, and not being defined by gender. Damiano felt like the perfect fit, someone who embodied that free-spirited and personal way of living life. He’s incredibly talented, and, of course, very handsome [laughs], but it’s also about respect. He represents so many different people in one, and it’s a very open and loving way of seeing society.Damiano, I remember when you and Maneskin first burst onto the scene, it wasn’t just about the music, which people loved, but also your style. It felt so in tune with the moment and representative of where fashion was heading. I’m curious about your own style journey. How do you feel about your look from when you first broke out compared to today?
David:
I’ve always been interested in fashion and clothes, and I’ve always seen it as a way to express myself and align my outer image with my inner self. I want to look cool every day, and I know that sounds simple, but I truly believe that’s what fashion is about. I want to wear something that, no matter where I go, gives me confidence and a sense of self that I can project to others. Diesel is the brand that does this best, so I think our collaboration was meant to be.Exploring the Genderless Aesthetic: A Shared Vision
Let’s talk about the genderless aspect of the collection. It makes sense based on your look, Damiano, and the way Glenn designs. But I’m curious, why was it so important for you to incorporate that into the collection?
Martens:
My approach, which has been the same since my time at Y/Project, is that I don’t really design according to gender. We understand that sometimes the super sexy dresses or corsets will be geared towards women, but the majority of the brand, in my opinion, is something that anyone who wants to wear it should be able to. Of course, not every market is ready for that, but we’re trying. I think we designed, and Damiano can tell you how he feels, around what he wanted to wear and how he wanted to wear the clothes. It was about what he liked, how he felt comfortable, and he knows exactly what he wants. The collection itself isn’t about gender; it’s about Damiano, and this is how Damiano dresses. In the end, if it appeals to any gender, we’re happy. That’s really how it should be.David:
Like Glenn said, it came naturally. For me, it was important to put myself into it, but also to respect the brand identity. It’s something I’ve always felt strongly about with Diesel, not having a major distinction between men’s and women’s wear. Personally, I shop more often in the women’s section because the trousers fit better, and the tees have better cuts, that kind of thing. It was important for me to give people the opportunity to not overthink it, or to wonder if they’re allowed to wear something or not.The Tattooed Skin: A Bold and Personal Touch
I have to ask about your tattoos, Damiano, and the decision to feature them on a few pieces in the collection. I’d love to know how you feel about, say, walking down the street and seeing someone wearing your…skin?
David:
[laughs] I really think about my tattoos as my first layer of clothing. When I look back at pictures where I wasn’t fully covered in tattoos, I have this weird feeling of feeling kind of naked. I genuinely perceive them as clothing, or almost accessories. It took me 25 years to get to this point, so the idea was that if my tattoos give me a sense of power, we could give people the chance to experience that without having to spend 12 hours under a needle. Glenn, I have a feeling this was your idea…Martens:
Well, we always try to add a little twist, something a bit cheeky [laughs]. We wanted something that felt more personal to him and from him, because he’s so loved and we thought about giving his fans something even more connected to him. We proposed it as a bit of a joke, and he loved it. It was our way of adding some fun and playfulness next to all the big capes and suits. We took pictures of him and voila, everyone can have Damiano skin now [laughs].Defining Sexy: Attitude, Empowerment, and Self-Expression
That’s pretty major. I’m curious to hear both of your thoughts on what makes clothes sexy. Is it the person, the product, or both?
David:
I think there are different ways to look at it. There are different kinds of sexy. There are clothes that can be sexy and cover your whole body too. It’s because clothes have a personality, and if they’re well-designed and thoughtfully created, they can have an attitude. What makes clothes sexy, I think, is the attitude: not giving a damn, taking up space, and being seen. It’s about projecting an energy of self-confidence and power, what we call “coolness,” which is impossible to explain. Charisma is what makes people attractive, sexy, and interesting. It’s very Diesel, which I think is the best part of the brand.Martens:
Perfect. José, I’m going to ask you to give me the recordings for later so I can write them down. This could be my answer for future interviews! [laughs]. Nothing to add here.Glenn, is sexiness something you think of when you design or style the collections?
Martens:
Damiano said it well, but I think it’s definitely about empowerment. We’re entering a wave of openness and freedom, and it’s not about the cliché anymore. A man isn’t the masculine cliché from the 1950s, like how our parents were, so the borders [of gender] are much more fluid and gray. I think that also means that a lot of people are much more connected to themselves and more understanding of who they are because they have that freedom today to express themselves without having to conform to society in a certain way. This gives confidence and individuality, and feeling empowered, feeling good in your own skin. Knowing who you are is just something very sexy. And I think that’s definitely why men’s fashion is becoming more and more sexy.Picking Favorites: Standout Pieces and Empowering Style
I know it’s hard to pick a favorite style, but what are your standouts? Or what do you think I should buy from it?
Martens:
For me, it’s hard to pick a favorite because we did this collection with my favorite stories from the last two years of Diesel. I think, to be honest, and maybe Damiano will say something else, I thought he was really into this coat/cape kimono thing we did. I would say that’s my favorite because it’s what I saw him most excited about, and that’s a true collaboration. It’s coated denim, so it’s painted denim and then baked to feel kind of leathery. I thought it really made Damiano happy, and I think one of the most important things about fashion is to empower people and to make people feel happy.David:
I have two pieces. The big coat that Glenn mentioned, and the big, massive suit. I love the idea of people taking up space with our clothes, of being exaggerated and not caring if you take up too much room. Again, it’s all about the attitude.Thank you both!
