Glenn Martens attending a high-fashion runway event
Fashion & Beauty

Runway Shakeup: Glenn Martens Exits Diesel To Focus On Maison Margiela

The Belgian fashion designer is stepping down from his role at Diesel to give Maison Margiela his undivided creative focus.

By Dee AlvarezPublished Updated 2 min read

A major shakeup is officially rocking the runway world as Belgian designer Glenn Martens prepares to step down from his position as creative director at Diesel. Reports confirm that the influential fashion figure is wrapping up his chapter with the iconic label, marking an impactful moment of transition for the global brand. Rather than taking on an entirely new project, Martens is opting to consolidate his workload. Moving forward, the Belgian creative will focus exclusively on his role at Maison Margiela. By stepping back from his responsibilities at Diesel, Martens is positioning himself to channel his complete creative vision into a single fashion house.

Glenn martens diesel exit

Throughout his tenure at Diesel, Martens earned widespread praise for elevating the brand's profile on the international stage. He brought a distinctive, avant-garde edge to modern denim and casual wear, transforming the label's runway presentations into highly anticipated calendar events. His departure signals the end of a pivotal creative era for Diesel as it prepares for what lies ahead. Juggling multiple high-profile design positions across different fashion houses is famously demanding in the luxury sector. Reports indicate that streamlining his commitments will allow Martens to throw his full artistic energy behind Maison Margiela without the distraction of split responsibilities. The move gives him room to deepen his work with the historic Parisian label.

Why is glenn martens leaving diesel

The announcement leaves Diesel facing an intriguing future. The brand will ultimately need to outline its next creative phase and name a successor capable of keeping up the high-octane energy established during Martens' time at the helm. Fashion enthusiasts are already watching closely to see how the house will navigate its upcoming runway seasons. Meanwhile, eyes are firmly locked on Maison Margiela. With Martens directing his full focus toward the brand, industry insiders are anticipating even bolder concepts from the Belgian designer. The shift highlights how quickly the high-fashion hierarchy can evolve when a top designer chooses to refine their artistic path. As the global fashion world digests the major departure, Martens remains one of the industry's most compelling creative forces. His decision to step away from Diesel to focus solely on Maison Margiela proves that even the biggest luxury runway powerhouses are constantly evolving behind the scenes.

The backstory

Verified moments, in order.

Glenn Martens: The road from Antwerp to Margiela

An Antwerp graduate takes charge at Y/Project, lands Diesel and gets a couture proving ground at Jean Paul Gaultier. These are the appointments and departures that shape his rise.

  1. Antwerp opens the door

    Glenn Martens — Antwerp opens the door

    Martens graduates from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp. He joins Jean Paul Gaultier as a junior designer, working on women's pre-collections and menswear before building a name of his own.

  2. Y/Project hands him the reins

    Glenn Martens — Y/Project hands him the reins

    Martens becomes creative director of Paris label Y/Project following the death of co-founder Yohan Serfaty. His experiments with proportion, layered construction and denim turn the label into the foundation of his international reputation.

  3. The industry puts a prize behind him

    Glenn Martens — The industry puts a prize behind him

    Y/Project wins the ANDAM Grand Prix under Martens. The French fashion award gives his work institutional backing as the label's unconventional silhouettes gain a wider audience.

  4. 2020-09

    Diesel makes its move

    Glenn Martens — Diesel makes its move

    Diesel appoints Martens creative director, putting him in charge of the brand's creative direction across its collections, communications and interior design. He keeps his Y/Project job, taking on a global denim business alongside the Paris label.

  5. 2022-01

    Gaultier gives him the couture stage

    Glenn Martens — Gaultier gives him the couture stage

    Martens presents Jean Paul Gaultier's spring 2022 haute couture collection as guest designer. Corsetry, reworked stripes and sculpted eveningwear bring his construction-led approach to couture while he continues leading Diesel and Y/Project.

  6. 2024-09

    Eleven years at Y/Project end

    Glenn Martens — Eleven years at Y/Project end

    Martens leaves Y/Project after 11 years as creative director. The departure closes the chapter that establishes his design identity; he remains at Diesel.

  7. 2025-01

    Margiela becomes the next assignment

    Glenn Martens — Margiela becomes the next assignment

    Maison Margiela appoints Martens creative director following John Galliano's departure in December 2024. Martens initially retains his Diesel role, placing him at the creative helm of two houses owned by OTB.

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People also ask

Is Glenn Martens leaving Diesel?
Yes, reports confirm Belgian fashion designer Glenn Martens is stepping down from his position at Diesel.
What brand will Glenn Martens focus on now?
Martens will now focus exclusively on his role at Maison Margiela.