ELLE - China - June 2015

ELLE - China - June 2015

The Lifestyle of Renzo Rosso, A Genius in Jeans

by ELLE Photos: Guan Li/ Story: Sevene / Editing: Daisy Chen

Editor's note: A genius in denim, Renzo Rosso recently flew to Shanghai for a short trip. He

sat down with ELLE for afternoon tea, and shared his thoughts on traveling, fun, and fashion.

Afternoon tea with Renzo Rosso: OTB Group, founded by Italian fashion mogul Renzo Rosso,

owns a portfolio of designer brands, including Diesel, Maison Margila, Marni, and Viktor &

Rolf. Diesel Living, the Group’s first homeware brand, has received numerous awards since its

launch. (www.otb.net)

(Diesel Shanghai Planet Store: S1-01, S2-01, Jing'an Kerry Center, No 1515 West Nanjing Road,

Shanghai)

Story：

Renzo Rosso was born in 1955 in Padua, in Northeastern Italy. With a passion for fashion, he

made his first pair of jeans with his mother's sewing machine as a teenager. The jeans not

only earned him the respect of his peers, but also inspired him to start his fashion career.

Rosso, Diesel’s co-founder, sees the brand as his life. Together with like-minded designers,

Rosso has created some of the world’s most iconic jeans, conceived for those looking to

express themselves through their clothing. His handmade, vintage-style jeans have

transformed the once-humble denim into a runway fixture.

OTB Group has also acquired other leading designer brands, such as Maison Margila, Marni,

and Viktor & Rolf.

With his signature mane of curls, the Italian Virgo is an epicurean and hedonist.

An art and music lover, Ross excels at bringing people together. His art collection features

work by Andy Warhol and emerging artists, and the rock'n'roll parties he organizes are

typically packed with celebrities, and broadcast live around the clock.

No matter how late the night, however, Rosso is an unfailing early riser. "I call it passion

and having a sense of mission," he explained.

He works out regularly and is focused on his health. He practices Yoga, Pilates, football,

jogging, and skiing. He also sponsors his hometown football team, designs bicycles,

motorcycles, helmets, headphones, and running shoes. He invests in organic food,

electric-powered vehicles, and owns an olive farm and vineyard.

With a passion for homeware, hotels, and stylish living, Rosso shared his thoughts on

traveling, fun, and fashion.

Q&A

ELLE: What is your favorite way to spend your free time?

Renzo Rosso: My most enjoyable moments are always with the people I love most - my

family and friends - sharing good food and wine. I take pride in bringing people together!

ELLE: How do you spend your holidays?

Renzo Rosso: I take two long vacations every year during Christmas and the summer. At

Christmas, I like to be close to the sea and sunshine, which help me re-energize. In the

summer, I like to visit places I have never been before, and learn about the local people and

history. I also like to spend time on my yacht with close friends and visit the Greek islands.

ELLE: What is your favorite destination?

Renzo Rosso: For business trips, my favorite destinations are London and New York. For

leisure trips, I am always looking for new places, where I like to learn about the local culture

and people. Compared with books or films about traveling, I prefer more personal

experiences. I love feeling inspired by new places.

ELLE: Where have you been most recently?

Renzo Rosso：Peru and Bolivia. They are fascinating countries, filled with history and so much

color.

ELLE: What are your three travel essentials?

Renzo Rosso: Diesel denim, T-shirts, and my cellphone.

ELLE: Can you introduce us to the Diesel Living Collection?

Renzo Rosso: Bringing Diesel Living to life has been extremely enjoyable for me. I wanted to

create a homeware collection with a fresh take on furniture, tableware, and lighting. We also

launched a revolutionary wooden floor line. Diesel Living has won a number of international

awards, and we are just getting started!

Caption: In 2005, at 50, Renzo released Fifty, an autobiography and chronicle of Diesel’s

development.