OTB Group-owned Diesel announced Monday that it has appointed Eraldo Poletto as CEO for North America, effective immediately. He will report to Diesel Global CEO Massimo Piombini and lead the Italian firm’s development in “a key market with great growth potential for the brand,” the company stated.
He succeeds Patrick Valeo, who served in the role since April 2020.
“In his new role, Eraldo will have the opportunity to capitalize on his long experience in the industry to drive the growth of our brand in the USA and Canada,” Piombini said. “His experience with leading fashion brands, combined with his vision and determination, will be invaluable resources for us.”
Poletto brings decades of experience in the U.S. luxury market to the company. Since 2018 he has been CEO and brand president of the Stuart Weitzman footwear brand, part of the Tapestry clothing and accessories group. Despite being known for its heels—a style whose popularity has waned during the pandemic—the brand outperformed in high-growth areas including digital and China.
Previously, he was managing director of several Italian companies, including Salvatore Ferragamo and Furla, where he played a significant role in the brands’ development on a global scale. Poletto also worked at Retail Brand Alliance Inc. for 15 years, where he was involved in the international growth of the Brooks Brothers brand.
Diesel’s leadership change comes at a critical time as the heritage denim brand looks to strengthen its presence in the U.S. and Canadian market with new strategic store openings. Poletto’s luxury pedigree also has the potential to become an asset as Diesel creative director Glenn Martens works to elevate the brand’s collections with sustainable denim, higher-priced footwear and its first-ever runway show at Milan Fashion Week in February.
“I am very proud to join the team at Diesel, a brand I admire which created an innovative unconventional style before many others,” Poletto said.
