Daliwonga attended Diesel Fall/Winter 2026, bringing a local cultural perspective to the international show. His presence highlighted the connection between music and fashion, two spheres Diesel has consistently intertwined.
South African Amapiano artist, Daliwonga in attendance at the Diesel FW26
Garments are designed to hold form and memory. Twisted silhouettes, permanently creased denim, and treated fabrics give pieces a worn-in feel, while still being precisely constructed. Double-layer jerseys are fixed in place, knits are reduced from oversized forms, and denim is resin-treated to maintain its shape.
Diesel Creative Director, Glenn Martens
Creative director Glenn Martens leans fully into the chaos of the afterparty, not the event itself, but the hazy, disoriented, strangely confident morning after. Built around the idea of “own it, live it, be it,” the collection reframes dishevelment as intention. Twisted silhouettes, permanently creased denim, and fabrics treated to look like they’ve been pulled off the floor speak to a wardrobe that doesn’t ask for perfection, only presence. It’s undone, but deliberately so.
The Diesel FW26 Run Way
The runway set reinforces this direction. Around 50,000 archival Diesel objects were displayed, tracing the brand’s history since 1978. The installation also reflects Diesel’s continued use of repurposed materials, which carries through into the collection across ready-to-wear and accessories.
Function is reworked across key pieces. Jeans include hidden slits for heels, trousers feature pockets at the hem, and pantaboots combine footwear and clothing into one. Outerwear remains soft and unstructured, while tailoring incorporates felted production waste.
Materials range from flocked denim and boiled knits to velvet, leather, and crystal embellishments. Distressed T-shirts and denim are layered with sheer fabrics, while colour shifts between muted tones and more saturated finishes.
Front Row Seat
Daliwonga and Iranian-Dutch singer, songwriter, Sevdaliza, were in attendance, adding a local and global cultural touchpoint to the show’s audience. Their presence reflected Diesel’s ongoing connection to music and youth culture, where fashion, art and sound continue to intersect.
Texture, Excess, and Emotional Dressing
Accessories introduce the new D-One bag, alongside updated versions of existing styles. Footwear leans into sculptural shapes, while eyewear and jewellery continue the same balance of function and statement. Overall, the collection maintains Diesel’s material-driven approach, focusing on how garments are worn, altered, and experienced over time.
This collection is about waking up in a place, with no idea what happened last night, and you are the most glorious person ever. When you sneak away from the hotel room of the person who you don’t even know, you are truly at your best. These are super-wearable pieces for successful living, the essence of Diesel,”-Glenn Martens, creative director of Diesel.
