Diesel’s S/S 2025 Show Highlights the "Beauty in Waste"

Graphic by Alexander Hernandez Gonzalez

‘Captivating’ is the only word that should describe Diesel’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection that took place Saturday afternoon during Milan Fashion Week’s fifth day.

Glenn Martens, creative director at Diesel and Y Project, presented 71 looks that were full of intricate prints, beautiful handbags and of course, denim in many shapes and sizes.

At first sight, the wide catwalk was covered in approximately 15,000 kg of denim scraps to emphasize the brand’s dedication to repurposing garment fragments. In fact, according to Diesel, the entire set will be reused and repurposed in multiple sectors that span in and out of fashion.

As the show began, techno beats played in the background while the opening model was seen wearing piercing white contacts, a grayish-blue denim tank top, extra long fringed shorts and silver pumps. The eyes were ominous at first sight, but it made me want to explore the model's outfit. In other words, it was an attention-grabbing device that continued throughout the show.

Blazers, bras and dresses had two things in common. One, they were all made up of denim. Two, they all had their distinct look to them. Some pieces were white while others were classic indigo. Some were clean-looking compared to those that were shredded to create a certain shape.

While models walked through the denim wonderland, an AI voice talked to the audience. The voice read the Wikipedia entry on denim and walked through the history of this classic garment that Diesel is synonymous with.

After the crash course, the AI voice reminds spectators to “Enjoy denim, enjoy Indigo, enjoy Diesel” before boldly stating “Diesel is Denim.” The futuristic soundtrack continued to play and as once said by Beyonce “Denim on denim on denim” continued to take control of the presentation.

Oversized distressed suits, lasered fringed trench coats and floral prints truly take the notion that denim can be whatever you want it to be in the most extreme way possible. 

TikTok’s favorite ginger model Calum Harper is seen wearing orange contacts, a ripped nude turtleneck, a ripped gray denim blazer and pants, suede brown shoes and a deep-brown shoulder bag with a green canvas strap that has the classic ‘D’ logo embossed onto it. This look is superbly well done and the scary contacts add to the outfit.

Extremely shredded tops, jackets and pants take the helm and are executed perfectly. Not to mention the patent leather, suede and crystalized handbags add to the denim-based ensembles.

Multicolored prints, cozy worn neutral pieces and dresses that define undergarments contrast the sea of blue surrounding the hangar. The clothes are sexy and are the Y2K aesthetic in the most elevated way possible.

Model Alton Mason is seen wearing all-black contacts, a slim-fitting black top that wraps around the waist, a metal chain bracelet, baggy black pants and black shoes. Compared to other looks, this one is mysteriously fashionable and is ready to steal anyone’s attention no matter where you are.

Clashing prints go down the catwalk through ruffled tops, scarves and twillies. Even though a lot is going on with the outfits, it’s Diesel’s way of tacky and I love it.

Model of the Year nominee Alex Consani closes the show (as she should) by wearing sharp white contacts, a black and white ‘78’ printed shirt, white printed bottoms, a red/black/gold scarf as a skirt, a red handbag with a twilly, pumps and twillys on her ankles and left arm.

As models walked for the Finale of the show, the message was obvious; denim is a versatile fabric that can be transformed into anything that you want it to be.

Martens came out on the runway to applause from the audience while wearing a black leather blazer, a black/purple printed shirt, a black belt, midnight-colored jeans and black shoes.

Whether it be brand new denim or the scraps that remain after you cut a pair of jeans, this collection hones in the fact that “Diesel is Denim” and that’s exquisitely done. Diesel’s experiment with denim is one for the books and I will be dreaming about this collection every day.