In typical Diesel fashion, the runway became a place for experimentation and subverting the codes of luxury. This year, the brand decided to skip the runway and stage an unprecedented egg hunt in Milan instead. The premise? The democratisation of fashion showcasing that, in their world, everyone is welcome.
XXL eggs with models inside were placed all over Milan, unveiling the Spring/Summer ’26 collection. Around 5,000 people signed up to walk around the city, find the 34 eggs, and win prizes – disrupting the traditional spirit of Milan during fashion week. Glenn Martens later said about the idea that the objective was to “bring a little bit of fashion back to the city.”
The showcase reaffirmed the strong character of the brand: irreverent, rebellious, and playful, but always with wearability in mind. With its urban, characteristic flair, the collection portrayed a futuristic approach, expressed through exaggerated shoulders, sunglasses, and metallic footwear.
Martens used his satin denim fabric across different garments, creating the classic Diesel vibe, but it was the distressed effect that truly brought the brand’s identity to the forefront. Denim dominated, with bleached, stone-washed, and painterly finishes.
Oversized accessories such as coats and belts, paired with short hemlines, fitted cuts, and draping, created an interesting balance. Earthy tones added a raw, industrial feel, while iridescent, metallic, and glossy hues introduced a striking juxtaposition of aesthetics. The looks mix eveningwear codes with street style, something intrinsic to the DNA of the brand.
The collection served as a reminder of the brand’s experimental language, where fabrics, colours, textures, and concepts come together to form a recognisable identity. In Diesel’s countercultural approach, authenticity and self-expression remain at the core of its creations.
Words by Carolina Benjumea
