Collected in the book Small Trades, the black and white images captured by Irving Penn, between the years of 1950 and 1951, served as the inspiration of Diesel Black Gold’s spring-summer 2017 men’s collection. Unveiled during Milan Fashion Week, the range revisited workwear in a modern context. Paying a nod to Penn’s travels and the eclectic people he covered, Diesel Black Gold creative director Andreas Melbostad celebrated an urban utilitarian vision.
Referencing Penn’s international treks that took him from London and Paris to New York, Melbostad delivered a range with a reworked uniform. Embracing black, indigo and white, pops of pale blue, pink and khaki softened a hyper-masculine attitude. Here, slouchy silhouettes reigned as the man of Diesel Black Gold was treated to baggy pants, kimono style shirts, quilted jackets, stacked jeans and standouts such as a chef uniform shirt. Accessorizing a lineup of fitted jackets and boxy tops, the season was rounded out with combat boots, utility sandals and canvas sneakers.