DIESEL FW23: Celebrating Democracy, Choice, and Sex Positivity as Human Rights

The DIESEL FW23 fashion show was a stunning display of individual freedom, pleasure, experimentation, and play. With a focus on democracy, choice, and sex positivity as human rights, creative director Glenn Martens took Diesel to new heights of ambition and accessibility.

The show was dominated by an installation of 200,000 Durex condom boxes, sending a powerful message about the importance of safe sex. This previewed a forthcoming capsule collection with Durex, dropping in April 2023, which marks the first time Durex has collaborated with a fashion brand. The collection featured a jersey T-shirt that swapped the D of Durex with the D of Diesel, emphasizing the brand's playful and serious approach to sex positivity.

Denim was a major theme throughout the collection, with moto denim cut low on the hips and bleached with whiskers. Denim tops were molded, and moto leathers were distressed to reveal a metal logo. Diesel's denim devoré, developed in-house, gave the effect of distressed jeans yet showed the skin beneath, revealing the body on oversized shirts, jeans, denim knits, skirts, and dresses, some embellished with crystals.

Distressing took on new intensity with laser-cutting on a little jersey dress, revealing the DIESEL running up the body like vertebrae. This technique was also applied to utility hoodies, sweatpants, and dresses, which become even more distressed over time. Double-layer jersey pieces were cut to reveal the color beneath, while screenprints highlighted and created shadows of Diesel logos.

Artisanal pieces upcycled existing materials, like biker denims that were metalized, or a shearling jacket that was bonded with denim then distressed, revealing the shearling once more. Leftover nylons from old linings were covered with plastic then heated up, creating an effect like strange fur. Deadstock faux fur was painted, then also covered in plastic and heated, creating an effect like liquid fur. Technical biker jackets were blow-torched, creating their own extreme architecture.

The show also introduced new accessories, including slip-on heels draped in diamante, denim boots with utilitarian pockets, and the D-Charm bag, quilted in padded denim with a charm chain. The new Diesel Eyewear collection, in collaboration with EssilorLuxottica, introduced a new frame, the lenses floating on the wire temples, and a new watch, the Vertebrae, featured a casing shaped like the bones of the spine.

The DIESEL FW23 fashion show was a breathtaking showcase of freedom, pleasure, experimentation, and play. It emphasized Diesel's commitment to democracy, choice, and sex positivity as human rights while showcasing the brand's signature style of accessible and experimental fashion. The forthcoming Durex capsule collection and the message of safe sex are especially important, reminding us that we can have fun, respect each other, and be safe all at the same time.

CREDITS:

Gloria Maria Cappelletti, Editor in Chief & Creative Director

Martin Romeo, Metaverse Designer

Donald Gjoka, Editorial Director & Photographer

Eleonora Pirisi, Features Editor

Special Thanks to Stefano Rosso, CEO BVX & Founder D-Cave

Many Thanks to ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI

➡️ check out the RED-EYE METAZINE X DIESEL FW23 immersive experience here on Spatial

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