Glenn Martens
Creative director of Maison Margiela and Diesel
Glenn Martens is a Belgian designer who has been creative director of Maison Margiela since January 2025, succeeding John Galliano, while continuing to lead Diesel, where he has been creative director since October 2020. Both brands belong to Renzo Rosso's OTB group.
| Role | Creative director, Maison Margiela and Diesel |
|---|---|
| Margiela | Since January 2025 |
| Diesel | Since October 2020 |
| Previously | Creative director of Y/Project until 2024 |
| Born | 1983, Bruges, Belgium |
| Education | Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, 2008 |
Who is Glenn Martens?
Glenn Martens was born in Bruges, Belgium, in 1983. He is the creative director of Maison Margiela, a role announced in January 2025, and of Diesel. He is known for reworking denim and everyday garments through twisted, deconstructed tailoring and for an energetic, inclusive approach to brand image.
Career
Martens first studied interior design at Sint Lucas in Ghent, graduating in 2004, and then took the master's in fashion at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, graduating in 2008. He joined Jean Paul Gaultier as a junior designer, working on the women's pre collection and the menswear line, and then ran a short lived label under his own name.
He became creative director of Y/Project after the death of its co founder Yohan Serfaty and led the label until 2024. Y/Project won the ANDAM Grand Prize in 2017, and Martens was named Designer of the Year at the Belgian Fashion Awards in 2018 and 2022.
On 8 October 2020 Diesel named him creative director, responsible for style, communication, interiors and overall creative direction. Founder Renzo Rosso said at the time that he would take the brand "in his hands with love, respect and passion". In 2022 Martens returned to Jean Paul Gaultier as guest couture designer. In January 2025 he was announced as creative director of Maison Margiela, replacing John Galliano.
Influence on the fashion business
Martens is credited with reinvigorating Diesel's relevance in luxury and youth culture. His work across several houses highlights:
- Holding creative roles at more than one brand within the same group
- Turning denim and basics into high fashion statements
- Using celebrity, red carpet moments and open access shows to build brand heat
- Reinterpreting a founder's codes at a conceptual house such as Margiela
Before his appointment at Diesel, Martens had already worked with the brand on its Red Tag project, presenting a collection in Milan for spring and summer 2019. During his Diesel tenure he has also designed for the Met Gala.
Why it matters
With two major brands under his direction within OTB, Martens is one of the most influential creative directors of his generation. His appointment at Maison Margiela is a significant test of how a house built on the anonymity and concepts of Martin Margiela evolves after the long Galliano era.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Glenn Martens?
Glenn Martens is a Belgian fashion designer who has been creative director of Maison Margiela since January 2025 and of Diesel since October 2020. He previously led the Paris label Y/Project.
Who replaced John Galliano at Maison Margiela?
Glenn Martens was announced as creative director of Maison Margiela in January 2025, succeeding John Galliano. He continues to lead Diesel, which also belongs to Renzo Rosso's OTB group.