Italian fashion and lifestyle brand Diesel has partnered with the Mumbai Indians cricket club to launch a limited-edition capsule collection of off-field merchandise. Officially unveiled at a press event in Mumbai last week, the Diesel-MI collection marks the first sports collaboration the denim specialist has ever developed specifically for the Indian market.
“We are teaming up around a dream of pride, passion and bravery,” said Diesel founder Renzo Rosso, adding that the goal was to fuel the collaboration with “irony, innovation and modernity.” He underscored the affinity in spirit and global resonance of the club.
Designed by Andrea Rosso, Renzo’s son and creative director of Diesel licenses, the collection draws inspiration from the clean and preppy aesthetics of cricket uniforms, infused with Diesel’s signature motifs. In particular, cricket’s iconic V-shaped necks are reinterpreted according to the Italian label’s code. “The V shape is present throughout the whole collection and is one of Diesel’s DNA staples,” said Andrea Rosso, who played with this element using Mumbai Indians team colors with “hints of white, gold, ocher, orange and blue that is well-connected to the world of denim.”
The Diesel-MI capsule collection includes a wide range of denims, polos, T-shirts, jackets, sweatshirts and accessories, such as bags and caps. The items are currently available in all Diesel stores in India and will retail in select shops across major cricketing nations, including England, Australia and South Africa, in addition to the brand’s web site.
The collaboration with the Mumbai Indians marks Diesel’s second foray in the world of sports, after the partnership with AC Milan soccer club, launched in September.