MILAN — The book “Radical Renaissance 55+5” published by Assouline, provides insight into Renzo Rosso’s vision of fashion and his increasing involvement in social projects.
Written by Dan Thawley, the tome collects interviews and photos that illustrate the past 10 years of the entrepreneur, working with some of the industry’s most influential designers. Rosso turned 60 in 2015, but, given that five is his lucky number, he admitted he “much preferred 55+5.” As for “Radical Renaissance,” in addition to containing the initials of his name, Rosso said Thawley believed he “interpreted the Renaissance in a radical way.”
Rosso was speaking on Friday at the space in Milan’s arty Brera district where several of the images from the book were exhibited for a launch event that evening, followed by a day of visits open to the public on Saturday. “It’s as if the book exploded in the gallery and its contents came to life in the gallery,” explained Caroline Corbetta, who curated the artistic installation.
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The past 10 years have marked a different direction for Diesel’s parent company OTB, with the addition of Maison Margiela and most recently tapping John Galliano to design the brand; Viktor & Rolf; Marni, and appointing Nicola Formichetti to steer Diesel. Rosso emphasized that this past decade had allowed him to “enter the most desirable world, that of luxury,” and to work with “the biggest man,” Martin Margiela. Rosso proudly pointed to a letter by the designer sent to Rosso for his birthday and reproduced in the book. In the letter, Margiela writes of the “deep and mutual respect” the two men have for one another; Rosso’s “incredible businessman” talent and creativity, and how “Renzo happily surprised me again by choosing” Galliano.
The volume, which is in English, is the third Rosso book and follows the ones marking his 40th and 50th birthdays. It will be available starting in July in Assouline boutiques and the group’s online store. It will then be carried in select fashion and design stores and Diesel, Maison Margiela and Marni flagships globally.
Rosso said he was also mulling the idea of setting up a museum, after having regrouped materials from the past 38 years.