Positioned above the Diesel brand, the luxe Diesel Black Gold line made its dazzling debut at New York Fashion Week in February 2008. Conceived to meet a growing demand for individualism and artisanal design, the casual luxury collection boasts highly fashionable pieces, handcrafted works, refined fabrics, unexpected detailing and specialised treatments. “We were pioneers in introducing premium denim to the luxury world,” explained Renzo Rosso, Diesel’s founder and president, “and now, we are ready to define a new concept of prêt-a-porter.” In mid 2009, edgy young London-based designer Sophia Kokolaski was appointed the brand’s creative director. She combines her signature hard and soft, luxe and street aesthetic to the brand’s gritty city edge, injecting some serious high fashion and understated chic. The results are pretty and premium, but very wearable.