Italian fashion label Diesel has unveiled new uniforms designed for AC Milan soccer club’s players and staff. Announced back in September, the three-year style partnership with the Milanese “Devils” will be celebrated in Doha, Qatar, on Dec. 23, when the players will debut the new off-field looks on the occasion of the Italian Super Cup match against Juventus FC.
Designed by Andrea Rosso, Renzo Rosso’s son and creative director of Diesel licenses, the two types of made in Italy, customized uniforms aim to disrupt traditional sports apparel, delivering a more loose fit, infused with an urban appeal.
“We wanted to express our love and passion for fashion and creativity in this project, while bearing in mind that football fans and fashion fans do not always overlap,” said Andrea Rosso, a strong supporter of the team along with his father.
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“During the design phase, my team and I explored how we could unite these two groups and focus on the comfort factor, which is very important in sports,” he added, explaining how the creative team tried to blend classic tailoring and streetwear to deliver a “’young-formal’ look with a touch of dynamic tailoring.”
Keeping Diesel’s three signature styles — rock, denim and military — in mind, the two outfits feature urban aesthetic and high-performance, introducing some innovative elements in the world of soccer, off-field apparel collaborations with fashion brands.
The first formal kit for players and staff substitutes traditional suits and shirts with hooded blazers with stretch fleece sleeves and zips at the wrists, to be worn with T-shirts or polos. A cashmere jumper, iconic Diesel JoggJeans in black and a parka with removable lining complete the look, which is styled with leather lace-up shoes with metal zip. The team’s signature red and black colors define the lining of the blazer’s sleeves, in addition to an embroidery patch also applied on the inside and representing Diesel’s signature Mohican symbol enriched with red and black stripes. The handcrafted AC Milan badge is also added on the front to complete the blazer.
Such symbolism is further enhanced on a reversible satin bomber jacket, which is the standout piece of the second kit of off-site apparel, conceived for transfers. The bomber jacket’s one side refers to AC Milan featuring the team’s colors and badge, while the other represents both Diesel and the club’s milestones and heritage through a series of patches applied on a black background. These include the flags of the cities where the team has been victorious; the initials of AC Milan’s English founder Herbert Kilpin and his iconic catchphrase “red as fire;” Renzo Rosso’s signature “enjoy” motto. In addition, a range of iconic numbers also features on the jacket, such as seven and 18, as the Champions League cups and national championships won by AC Milan; 1899, which is the year the soccer club was founded; 78 as Diesel’s founding year. A pair of Diesel distressed JoggJeans and black leather sneakers with an all-round zip complete the look.
Presented to the players at Milanello, the team’s training camp, on Dec. 18 by Renzo and Andrea Rosso, the uniforms will also be available for purchase at Diesel flagship stores in key cities and online starting from the end of February. Provided without the AC Milan logo patch, the apparel pieces will retail with prices ranging from 70 euros, or $73 at current exchange, for T-shirts to 350 euros, or $365, for blazers.