R enzo Rosso is an influential Italian fashion entrepreneur and the founder of the iconic denim brand Diesel. Raised on a farm in northeastern Italy, Rosso attended an industrial textile manufacturing school. In 1978, at the age of 23, he co-founded the clothing company Diesel with his former boss, Adriano Goldschmied. He aimed to create a brand that was innovative, rebellious, and an alternative to the prevailing fashion trends. His use of distressed and vintage-look denim was revolutionary at the time and became the brand's signature.

In 1985, Rosso took full control of Diesel and began its aggressive international expansion. He built the brand's reputation through provocative and surreal advertising campaigns that often had little to do with the clothes themselves, a strategy that garnered worldwide attention and cemented Diesel's image as a brand for the 'brave.' As Diesel grew into a global lifestyle brand, Rosso established the holding company OTB Group (Only The Brave). He used OTB to acquire a portfolio of other high-end fashion houses, including Maison Margiela, Marni, and Jil Sander, transforming his company into a modern luxury conglomerate. He remains the president of the group, steering its creative and strategic direction.