--What impression did you have of Diesel before joining?
First of all, it's a famous Italian brand (laughs). And it skillfully mixes various materials. The mid-1990s were a great time for London's streets, full of "events," not the least of which was the emergence of Diesel. So, holding a DBG show in New York feels like stepping into different territory, which is interesting. Is it like a new venture for the company?
--How is it different from Diesel's regular line?
It's a separate brand run by a completely separate organization. Because of that, it's entrusted to a different director, so I don't need to be conscious of Diesel's regular line when it comes to the direction of Diesel.
--I see. But from the consumer's perspective, it's interesting to see how the branding will be handled, since both brands share the same name, Diesel.
DBG has a separate organization and office from Diesel, and our offices are locked, so it's not easy to go back and forth between them (laughs). Diesel is a well-known brand with an established image, but DBG is like a newly established small company within Diesel. The organizational structure, work methods, and target audience are all different.

DBG inherits Diesel's DNA and creativity, but its approach to clothing, the types of materials used, and techniques are different from Diesel's. I believe we can contribute to creating a different type of product from Diesel, while still incorporating Diesel's DNA.

--When I saw your collection, I felt that while the rock element of Diesel is at its core, it was also very elegant and high-quality, with a hint of a high-end brand. Do you design with this in mind?

While there are products in common with Diesel, such as biker jackets, fly pocket jeans, and military jackets, we want to incorporate a different style from Diesel in the cut, construction, and fabrics, and we are conscious of a slightly dressier look. I think Diesel Black Gold is characterized by a more static and sophisticated brand presence and product style than Diesel.

Creating clothes is a way for a designer to express themselves, but at Diesel, I think the products are more intimate. It's great to be able to bridge the gap between the wearer and the designer.

Back to 1/2.

Andreas Melbostad is from Norway. He began his career as a designer at Nicole Fahrli. He worked on collections for Guy Laroche and Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, and has worked for brands such as Nina Ricci and Donna Karan. In October 2012, he became the creative director of the Diesel Black Gold women's line, and in September 2013, he became the overall creative director of Diesel Black Gold. In addition to the women's collection, he presented his first men's collection at Pitti Uomo in the 2014-15 AW season.