Nicola Formichetti goes sporty at Diesel Tribute

Tribute by name, tribute by nature: the collection is something of an homage both to London and Diesel founder Rosso, and was inspired by another of Formichetti’s visits to the brand’s archives, where he uncovered a 1994 Diesel collection (from the days when Rosso still designed the lines himself).  

He then became “completely obsessed” by the pieces which didn’t fit with the main collection he was working on, so he decided to launch it as a capsule. With updated fabrics, and an athletic mix of materials, Aquahollic was designed to feel “very today, very now and super sporty”. In fact, so sporty that it might look like a move into the currently booming activewear sector. The designer doesn’t agree though, and was keen to avoid any such definitions: “I don’t like to call it active or sportswear because it’s not, it could be anything, for me it’s a casual collection”. Case closed.

Another talking point: the decision not to unveil the collection with a show or a big presentation, but instead to reveal the pieces in collaboration with the British Fashion Council’s London Showrooms in Paris. Formichetti explained the decision as a way of giving something back to the UK capital. “I wanted to do something small and help support the young London talent because that’s where I come from,” he said, adding that the whole collection pays homage to his time in 1990s London and the Diesel store in Covent Garden where he first discovered the brand.

Set to be sold via select shops around the world (a “niche and targeted” list according to the Japanese-Italian designer, which will see the collection land in one or two locations per city) the Aquahollic pieces will arrive in stores early next year. 

Check out more pics of the collection here on Formichetti’s instagram: http://instagram.com/p/taMT27LEas/