OTB Group
An Italian private fashion holding group whose portfolio includes Diesel, Maison Margiela, Marni, Jil Sander, Viktor & Rolf and other luxury and contemporary businesses.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
OTB Group, short for Only The Brave, is an Italian private holding company focused on fashion, luxury goods, brand development, manufacturing and distribution. It was established in 2002 by entrepreneur Renzo Rosso as a corporate structure for Diesel and for investments in independent fashion houses whose creative potential could be developed with stronger financial, operational and international support. The group is headquartered in Breganze, in the province of Vicenza, and operates across major fashion markets worldwide. The group grew out of Rosso’s expansion of Diesel. After taking complete control of Diesel in 1985, Rosso broadened his activities beyond a single denim label. In 2000, he acquired Staff International, an Italian company specializing in fashion production, logistics and marketing. Staff International provided OTB with industrial and commercial capabilities that could support both owned labels and outside designer brands. OTB was then formed in 2002 as a holding company intended to combine entrepreneurial investment with a portfolio approach to fashion. OTB’s brand portfolio has developed through a mixture of acquisitions, majority investments and operational partnerships. Maison Margiela joined the group in 2002, giving OTB a position in avant-garde Parisian luxury. Dutch design house Viktor & Rolf followed in 2008. The group founded Brave Kid in 2011 to develop, produce and distribute licensed premium childrenswear and accessories. Marni was acquired in 2012, expanding the portfolio into Italian luxury fashion with a strong emphasis on color, form and distinctive design. OTB later acquired a stake in Amiri in 2019 and bought Jil Sander in 2021. In 2023, it acquired a majority interest in Frassineti, a leather-goods manufacturer and long-term supplier to Jil Sander. The portfolio spans different price points and creative identities. Diesel remains associated with denim, casualwear, youth culture and provocative communications. Maison Margiela represents conceptual luxury and experimental design, while Marni emphasizes artistic, colorful and often unconventional ready-to-wear and accessories. Jil Sander occupies a refined minimalist luxury position, and Viktor & Rolf is known for conceptual couture and theatrical fashion. OTB also owns or operates production, distribution and service businesses that connect brand creativity with industrial execution. OTB presents itself as a group willing to support independent designers and brands that may require investment, management expertise or international infrastructure. Its business model therefore combines brand ownership with centralized capabilities in manufacturing, distribution, retail, licensing and corporate services. The group has also used foundations and social initiatives to address poverty, disaster recovery and disadvantaged communities. OTB Foundation, established in 2008, is the group’s principal philanthropic vehicle. The company remains privately held and is controlled by Renzo Rosso. Ubaldo Minelli has served as chief executive officer since 2017. OTB reported revenue of EUR 1.9 billion for 2023 according to the referenced company article. In 2025, the group announced the creation of a legal entity in Mexico City as an initial step in developing its presence in the region. OTB is therefore both a fashion portfolio owner and an operating platform intended to build globally distributed luxury and contemporary brands while retaining their individual creative identities.
History
OTB Group developed from Renzo Rosso’s expansion of Diesel into a broader fashion investment platform. Rosso had taken complete control of Diesel in 1985. Rather than limiting the business to denim and casualwear, he pursued capabilities and assets that could support a larger brand ecosystem. In October 2000, he acquired Staff International, an Italian fashion production, logistics and marketing company. This transaction gave Rosso an operating base for managing manufacturing and distribution as well as a mechanism for working with multiple labels. In 2002, Rosso established Only The Brave, now commonly called OTB Group, as a holding company for Diesel and future investments. Its stated investment logic centered on fashion designers and companies that had strong creative identities but needed financial stability, operational expertise or international reach. Maison Margiela became the first major luxury house added to the portfolio in 2002. The acquisition connected OTB with an influential Paris-based label known for deconstruction, conceptual design and a distinctive approach to luxury. The portfolio expanded in 2008 with the acquisition of Viktor & Rolf. The Dutch house brought a highly conceptual and theatrical design language, broadening OTB’s exposure to couture, runway experimentation and art-led fashion. In 2011, OTB established Brave Kid, a subsidiary dedicated to the development, production and distribution of licensed premium childrenswear and accessories. Brave Kid’s licensing activities have included Diesel, John Galliano, Dsquared2, Marni, N°21 and Trussardi. OTB added Italian luxury house Marni in 2012. Marni strengthened the group’s position in luxury ready-to-wear, accessories and footwear while preserving a design identity separate from Diesel and the other brands. The group subsequently expanded through a stake in Amiri in 2019, giving it exposure to a newer Los Angeles-based luxury and streetwear-oriented label. In 2021, OTB acquired Jil Sander, adding a globally recognized name associated with precision, restraint and minimalist luxury. The group has also invested in the industrial side of fashion. In 2023, OTB acquired a majority stake in Frassineti, a leather-goods manufacturer and established supplier to Jil Sander. The transaction reflected an effort to deepen control over production expertise and the supply chain supporting one of its major luxury brands. Alongside acquisitions, OTB has developed philanthropic and social-impact initiatives. OTB Foundation was established in 2008 as a nonprofit organization focused on sustainable development and support for disadvantaged communities. In 2009, Renzo Rosso and the foundation began supporting the Only The Brave Millennium Village in Dioro, Mali, in cooperation with Millennium Promise. In 2012, Rosso appeared at a United Nations press conference with Jeffrey Sachs to discuss progress connected with Millennium Promise and the foundation’s work. OTB also created the Brave Circle Fund after the 2012 earthquakes in Emilia-Romagna. The fund used a EUR 5 million personal endowment from Rosso to support a microcredit program for residents and small and medium-sized businesses involved in reconstruction. OTB’s international development continued in 2025 with the announcement of a legal entity in Mexico City, described as the first step in a regional expansion plan. The group remains privately owned and controlled by Rosso, with Ubaldo Minelli serving as chief executive officer since 2017. Its current structure combines a collection of individually managed fashion brands with shared industrial, distribution, licensing and corporate infrastructure.
- 2025
OTB established a legal entity in Mexico City
[1]The new entity marked the first step in OTB’s announced expansion plan for the region.
- 2023
OTB acquired a majority stake in Frassineti
[1]The group took majority ownership of leather-goods manufacturer Frassineti, a long-term Jil Sander supplier.
- 2021
Jil Sander was acquired
[1]OTB acquired Jil Sander, adding a major minimalist luxury brand to its portfolio.
- 2019
OTB acquired a stake in Amiri
[1]The group invested in Amiri, expanding its portfolio toward a newer luxury and streetwear-oriented label.
- 2017
Ubaldo Minelli became chief executive officer
[1]Ubaldo Minelli took over as OTB Group’s CEO.
- 2012
Marni joined the portfolio
[1]OTB acquired Italian luxury fashion house Marni.
- 2012
The Brave Circle Fund was created
[1]A microcredit initiative was launched to support people and small businesses affected by the Emilia-Romagna earthquakes.
- 2011
Brave Kid was founded
[1]OTB established Brave Kid to manage development, production and distribution for licensed premium childrenswear and accessories.
- 2008
OTB acquired Viktor & Rolf
[1]The Dutch luxury house Viktor & Rolf joined the group.
- 2008
OTB Foundation was established
[1]The group created a nonprofit foundation focused on sustainable development and assistance for disadvantaged communities.
Products and positioning
A privately controlled Italian fashion and luxury platform that combines a portfolio of distinctive designer brands with centralized manufacturing, distribution, retail, licensing and corporate capabilities. OTB emphasizes creative independence, entrepreneurial investment and international brand development.
Denim and contemporary fashion
Diesel
Diesel is OTB’s foundational brand and is associated with denim, casualwear, footwear, accessories and fragrances. Its identity combines Italian design and production heritage with youth culture, experimental marketing and provocative visual communication. The label operates across apparel and lifestyle categories and serves as one of the group’s most internationally recognizable brands.
Luxury fashion
Maison Margiela
Maison Margiela is a Paris-based luxury fashion house known for conceptual design, deconstruction, anonymity, unconventional construction and experimental presentations. Within OTB, it represents an avant-garde luxury position spanning ready-to-wear, couture-related activities, footwear, leather goods, accessories and fragrances.
Luxury fashion
Marni
Marni is an Italian luxury house offering ready-to-wear, accessories, footwear and related lifestyle products. It is recognized for expressive color, unusual proportions, artistic references and an independent design language. Its addition in 2012 strengthened OTB’s Italian luxury presence and diversified the group beyond Diesel and its more conceptual European houses.
Minimalist luxury fashion
Jil Sander
Jil Sander is a luxury fashion brand centered on clean lines, restrained styling, precise tailoring, premium materials and minimalist design. Its offering includes ready-to-wear, footwear, handbags, leather goods and accessories. OTB acquired the brand in 2021 and subsequently strengthened its industrial connection to leather-goods production through the Frassineti investment.
Luxury fashion and couture
Viktor & Rolf
Viktor & Rolf is a Dutch fashion house known for theatrical presentation, conceptual silhouettes, couture experimentation and an art-oriented approach to fashion. Its business includes couture, ready-to-wear, accessories and fragrances, adding a highly distinctive creative identity to the OTB portfolio.
Licensed childrenswear · 2011
Brave Kid
Brave Kid is OTB’s childrenswear platform, specializing in product development, production and distribution for licensed premium children’s clothing and accessories. Its licensing portfolio has included Diesel, John Galliano, Dsquared2, Marni, N°21 and Trussardi.
Fashion production and distribution
Staff International
Staff International is a fashion production, logistics and marketing company acquired by Rosso in 2000. It provides industrial and commercial capabilities that support the development, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of brands connected with OTB.
Marketing campaigns
- 2009Only The Brave Millennium Village
Mali · International philanthropic network
Renzo Rosso and OTB Foundation supported the Only The Brave Millennium Village in Dioro, Mali, in cooperation with Millennium Promise. The initiative focused on development assistance in a disadvantaged rural community and was connected to broader international poverty-reduction goals.
Outcome. The project became a central example of OTB’s foundation-led social development work; the supplied reference does not provide a final quantitative outcome.
- 2008Sichuan earthquake relief donation
China
Renzo Rosso donated HKD 2 million to a UNICEF special relief fund for children affected by the 2008 Sichuan earthquake.
Outcome. The donation supported UNICEF emergency relief activities for affected children.
Brand decisions
2025
Expansion through a Mexican legal entityStrategyBackground
OTB identified Latin America as a region for further international development.
Action taken
The group announced the creation of its own legal entity in Mexico City.
Aftermath
The entity was described as the first step in an expansion plan for the region; later operational results were not specified in the supplied material.
2023
Majority investment in FrassinetiM&ABackground
Control of specialist manufacturing capacity was strategically relevant to the quality and supply-chain needs of Jil Sander and the wider luxury portfolio.
Action taken
OTB acquired a majority stake in Frassineti, a leather-goods manufacturer and long-term Jil Sander supplier.
Aftermath
The transaction increased OTB’s ownership of an important leather-goods production capability.
2021
Acquisition of Jil SanderM&ABackground
OTB continued to expand its portfolio of distinctive luxury fashion houses.
Action taken
OTB acquired Jil Sander.
Aftermath
The acquisition added a globally established minimalist luxury brand and expanded OTB’s high-end fashion presence.
2011
Launch of Brave KidStrategyBackground
OTB identified licensed premium childrenswear as an opportunity to extend the commercial reach of fashion brands.
Action taken
The group founded Brave Kid to manage development, manufacturing and distribution of licensed children’s clothing and accessories.
Aftermath
Brave Kid became the group’s dedicated platform for childrenswear licensing across several fashion labels.
2002
Creation of a multi-brand fashion holding groupStrategyBackground
Renzo Rosso sought a structure that could hold Diesel while investing in independent fashion businesses with creative promise but limited financial or operational stability.
Action taken
Only The Brave was established as a holding company for Diesel and future acquisitions.
Aftermath
The structure became the platform for acquisitions including Maison Margiela, Viktor & Rolf, Marni and Jil Sander.
Recent events
- 2025
OTB created a legal entity in Mexico City[1]
Other
The group announced the establishment of its own legal entity in Mexico City as an initial step in a regional expansion plan.
- 2023
OTB Group reported EUR 1.9 billion in annual revenue for 2023[1]
Other
The group recorded annual revenue of EUR 1.9 billion for 2023, reflecting the scale of its multi-brand luxury and fashion portfolio.
- 2023
OTB acquired a majority stake in Frassineti[1]
M&A
OTB acquired majority ownership of Frassineti, a leather-goods manufacturer that had been a long-term supplier to Jil Sander.
Sources2 sources
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