Renzo Rosso facts for kids

Rosso's signature

Renzo Rosso (born in 1955) is an Italian businessman who created the famous clothing brand Diesel. He is also the president of OTB Group, a large company that owns other popular fashion brands like Maison Margiela, Marni, Viktor & Rolf, and Jil Sander. In 2022, his total wealth was estimated to be $3.6 billion.

Starting a Fashion Empire

The Beginning of Diesel

Diesel logo

Renzo Rosso's journey into fashion began in 1975. He left the University of Venice to work at a local clothing company called Moltex. The company was run by Adriano Goldschmied, who became a great teacher and partner to Rosso.

Rosso was so good at his job that he wanted to start his own business. But Goldschmied convinced him to stay. He offered Rosso a share in the company and they decided to create a new brand together. In 1978, they launched Diesel.

They chose the name "Diesel" because, during the oil crisis of the 1970s, diesel was seen as an alternative fuel. Rosso wanted his jeans to be an alternative to the other big brands. The name was also easy to say in many languages, which was perfect for a global brand.

In 1985, Rosso took full control of Diesel. He began to experiment with new ways to make denim look unique, like washing it with stones. He put together a team of creative designers, and the company grew quickly. Diesel opened big stores in major cities like New York City, San Francisco, Rome, and London.

Creating the OTB Group

In the 2000s, Rosso started to buy other fashion companies. This led to the creation of OTB Group. OTB stands for "Only The Brave." Rosso wanted to build a different kind of fashion group. He said he wanted it to be a home for new and creative brands that could become future leaders in fashion.

Today, OTB Group owns several major brands, including:

• Diesel
• Maison Margiela
• Marni
• Viktor & Rolf
• Jil Sander
• Amiri

The group also owns Staff International and Brave Kid, which make and sell clothing for other famous labels.

Helping Other Brands Grow

Staff International

Rosso bought Staff International in 2000. This company was already known for making high-quality clothing for famous designers like Karl Lagerfeld and Valentino. Today, it helps produce and distribute clothes for brands like Maison Margiela, Marni, and Dsquared2.

Maison Margiela

In 2002, Rosso bought the fashion house Maison Margiela. He loved the brand because it was unique and appealed to people with strong personalities. After Rosso invested in the company, its sales grew from €15 million in 2002 to over €60 million by 2008.

Viktor & Rolf

Rosso bought a majority share of Viktor & Rolf in 2008. The designers of the brand, Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren, were excited to work with him. They said Rosso understood creativity and could help their brand become a huge success.

Other Projects and Investments

L.R. Vicenza Soccer Team

Rosso is also a big fan of soccer. In 1996, he bought the Bassano Virtus 55 Soccer Team, the team from his hometown. He led the club for over 20 years. In 2018, he also took over the historic Vicenza Calcio soccer team, saving it from going out of business.

Red Circle Investments

Rosso also invests in other businesses through his company, Red Circle Investments. In 1992, he bought a farm near the Diesel headquarters and started producing wine and olive oil. He also owns the historic Pelican Hotel on Miami's South Beach, which he restored in 1994.

Helping People and Communities

OTB Foundation

In 2008, Rosso started the OTB Foundation. It is a non-profit group that helps people in disadvantaged areas around the world. One of its first major projects was in the village of Dioro, Mali. The foundation worked to improve life for the people living there.

Because of his work, Rosso was named a Global Leader by the United Nations for a project called the Millennium Development Goals. This project aimed to reduce extreme poverty.

The OTB Foundation has also helped people in Italy. After earthquakes hit the Emilia-Romagna region in 2012, Rosso gave 5 million euros to help people and small businesses rebuild. He also donated 5 million euros to restore the famous Rialto Bridge in Venice.

Awards and Recognition

Rosso has received many awards for his work in business and fashion.

• He won several Grand Prix awards for advertising.
• In 2005, the German edition of GQ magazine named him "Man of the Year."
• He has received honorary degrees from universities in Italy.
• In 2011, the President of Italy gave him the title of Cavaliere del Lavoro, a high honor for business leaders.

Personal Life

Renzo Rosso was born in Brugine, Italy. He has lived in Bassano del Grappa since the 1970s. He has seven children, and three of them work with him in his company. In his free time, he enjoys exercising and collecting art. He owns works by famous artists like Andy Warhol and Basquiat.

See also

In Spanish: Renzo Rosso (empresario) para niños