17 June, 2009 | By Laura Weir
Diesel Black Gold has pulled out of New York Fashion Week and drafted in Greek born designer Sophia Kokosalaki to overhaul its premium Black Gold womenswear collection.
Diesel has pulled its premium sub-brand out of NYFW this coming September and is understood to be planning to develop a new-look range out of the limelight under the creative direction of Kokosalaki, who has shown at London Fashion Week.
According to a source close to the company Diesel is planning to relaunch Black Gold at New York Fashion Week in February 2010.
Diesel said in a statement: “Starting from autumn 10, Sophia Kokosalaki will play a primary role in the development of Diesel’s high-end collection Diesel Black Gold’s female lines. In light of, and to mark this important change, Diesel Black Gold will not show its collection in New York next September.”
Diesel president Renzo Rosso bought a majority stake in Sophia Kokosalaki last year via his Only the Brave holding company. However Kokosalaki has taken back complete control of her eponymous label since the initial deal.
Rosso said: “I am very excited at this new step in the development of Diesel Black Gold, and very happy to be working with Sophia on this project. Her talent is incredible. Her taste in high-end fashion is already known, but what people do not necessarily expect from her is her skill in dealing with denim and contemporary casual.”
