Born in 1979, Stefano Rosso completed a BA in international trade and marketing at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, and began his work experience outside of the family company. In 2005, he returned to Italy and started working at Diesel in various areas of the company - from production to marketing. He first was Diesel’s 5-pockets (denim) brand manager, then became strategic brand alliances director, creating and managing some important global collaborations for Diesel, including a limited-edition sneaker series with Adidas Originals and the worldwide partnership with Ducati.
In 2011, Stefano Rosso left Diesel to become director of corporate development of OTB, the parent company of Diesel, Maison Margiela, Marni, Paula Cademartori, Viktor&Rolf, Staff International (which produces and distributes licensed prêt-à-porter brands such as Maison Margiela, Marni, DSquared2, Just Cavalli and Vivienne Westwood), and Brave Kid (managing production and distribution for licensed kids designer lines such as Diesel, DSquared2, John Galliano, Marni and Trussardi). In 2013, he was named co-CEO of OTB with the specific responsibility of designing the group’s corporate governance and guiding the people and organization function, with the goal to build the managerial team of the future.
After six years heading up the corporate development of OTB, Stefano Rosso will become the North American CEO for Diesel. “Diesel is the company I was literally born into, and North America the market I feel closest to me,” he commented. “This part of the world, so iconic and inspirational to our denim core business, will play a key role in the global plan of rebooting Diesel. I am here to fully maximize the potential of the brand and contribute to taking it to new heights.”
His appointment will be effective in the next few weeks.
Read also:
