MILAN — Diesel is joining the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s Fashion Task Force, a private-sector coalition aimed at accelerating the transition toward a more sustainable future.
The SMI’s Fashion Task Force focuses on sustainable solutions in the global fashion, textile and apparel sectors. It is chaired by entrepreneur and former Yoox Net-a-porter chairman and chief executive officer Federico Marchetti.
Holding Moda, a fashion division of the private investment company Holding Industriale, which produces for many of the world’s leading luxury brands, is also joining the Fashion Task Force, which was founded by King Charles III in 2020 when he was Prince of Wales.
“Sustainability must become a state of mind for the entire fashion industry, and the Fashion Task Force represents a further step toward this goal,” said Renzo Rosso, chairman of the OTB Group and founder of Diesel. “We are excited to be part of this and to share our vision and the innovative approach with the other members. Collaborating and looking toward the future together is the only way we can truly change our industry.”
He also credited his son Andrea for driving the group’s sustainability strategies and said: “I feel we can really contributed to the Task Force with our experience.” He also remarked on the “great personal and business relationship” he has long held with Marchetti.
“With Renzo we have been partners, shareholders and friends for so long and we share many values. He is really focused and and together we share a deep commitment to advancing sustainability in the fashion industry. I am sure he will add value to the Task Force by offering a fresh, pioneering perspective,” Marchetti said.
He also praised Claudio Rovere, founder and president of HModa Group. “He is an outstanding entrepreneur, and as such he takes risks and thinks long-term. He has a strong focus on valuing the fashion supply chain and its extraordinary craftsmanship. Claudio and his team will contribute to our goals by bringing a valuable inside-out perspective on the supply chain. It’s important to have someone who deals with the entire production chain, working on traceability,” Marchetti said.
He said he was pleased to welcome two additional Italian members to the Task Force, joining the Giorgio Armani Group, Brunello Cucinelli and Prada. “This reflects the King’s passion for Italy and it shows how Italians are people of action. We add two members per year at the most, and we choose only those that are more committed,” Marchetti remarked.
Marchetti revealed that on Friday, the King and Queen are expected to attend a U.K.-Italy dinner to celebrate the Slow Food and Slow Fashion movement at Highgrove Gardens, Doughton.
This is ahead of their State Visits to the Holy See, joining Pope Francis in celebrating the 2025 Jubilee Year, and to Italy in April, in Rome and Ravenna — incidentally Marchetti’s hometown. The menu for the evening was created by chef Francesco Mazzei and inspired by actor Stanley Tucci, who will attend the dinner.
Since its inception, the Fashion Task Force has been driving tangible projects in multiple areas, which include the launch of the Digital Product Passport at the G20 in Rome, traceability and regenerative agriculture projects in the Himalayas and Apulia, Italy.
“This milestone marks a significant step for HModa and the entire fashion production supply chain,” Rovere said. “We are excited to actively contribute to the efforts toward a sustainable future, promoting responsible practices and working together to achieve the goals for a sustainable development in our industry.”
The group of Italian manufacturers controlled by HModa specialize in different categories, for example Uno Maglia (specialized in the production of jersey garments), Alex&Co (leather garments), RBS (design and production of technical sports garments and outerwear), Albachiara (lightweight women’s clothing) and Project (for denim and sportswear garments).
Since the launch of “For Responsible Living Strategy” in 2020, Diesel’s denim program has been completely overhauled to implement less impactful practices across the supply chain, from fabrics to treatments. For example, Diesel’s denim crafted from organic, recycled or regenerative cotton has in the last three years grown to 50 percent from 3 percent.
The Fashion Task Force will continue to deliver results in line with the SMI’s Terra Carta principles, and the two new members are committed to support the Task Force in accelerating the sustainability transition.
Marchetti and the King have long supported one another’s initiatives in the space.
In 2018, the then-Prince of Wales inaugurated the Yoox Net-a-porter tech hub in West London. In 2021, Yoox Net-a-porter Group pledged to commit to the king’s Terra Carta, a mandate that puts sustainability at the heart of the private sector. Under Marchetti, YNAP also joined the Sustainable Markets Initiative.
Terra Carta derives its name from the historic Magna Carta which laid out the fundamental rights and liberties of the English people more than 800 years ago.
Terra Carta is meant to provide “a roadmap to 2030 for businesses to move toward an ambitious and sustainable future, one that will harness the power of Nature combined with the transformative power, innovation and resources of the private sector,” the group said at the time.
