Renzo Rosso's Otb achieves record results also thanks to its inclusiveness

Renzo Rosso's Otb achieves record results also thanks to its inclusiveness

Renzo Rosso, the founder and president of Otb (Only the Brave), a fashion group known for the Maison Margiela, Diesel, Jil Sander, Mami and Viktor&Rolf brands, recently shared his vision and priorities in an exclusive interview with L'Economia del Corriere. In addition to highlighting the group's solid economic results, projected to exceed 8 billion in revenues, Rosso underlined the importance of worker well-being and respect for the environment as fundamental pillars of the company philosophy.

With this in mind, Rosso declared: “We have collections in which half of the products have a low environmental impact, and we aim to anticipate carbon neutrality deadlines with double-digit growth, above the sector average.” This commitment to sustainability also extends to the human dimension, with the aim of actively involving employees in company decisions and in volunteer initiatives through the Otb Foundation.

The Otb Foundation, led by vice-president Arianna Alessi, Rosso's wife, is a vehicle through which the group actively promotes philanthropic initiatives. Rosso proudly highlighted the enthusiasm of the employees in participating in various initiatives, such as the Christmas market in Bassano del Grappa, contributing to beneficial projects such as the creation of pediatric rooms at the Bassano Hospital. Sustainability is not limited to the social sphere, but also extends to daily business practices. OTB has implemented a holistic approach, seeking to reduce waste and promote the responsible use of resources. “We organize internal markets reserved for employees, offering prototypes of our brands in exchange for donations. This is also true sustainability,” underlined Rosso.

Another crucial aspect of the company philosophy is gender equality. OTB achieved national certification for gender equality in 2023 through the “Stand Out for Inclusion” program. “Gender equality has always been a reality for us, with approximately 70% of our workforce made up of women,” Rosso said. The company actively supports women through initiatives such as internal nursery since 2012 and dedicated medical screenings, demonstrating a tangible commitment to the well-being of women employees.

Rosso's vision goes beyond the boundaries of the company and extends to the territory, with a particular focus on the prevention of violence against women. The Otb Foundation engages in educational projects in schools and offers support to victims of violence, providing psychological and legal assistance together with safe shelters. Rosso emphasized the need to educate, especially among young people, and presented the Foundation's model to the Minister of Education, hoping for its extension to all Italian schools.

In addition to social sustainability, Otb is committed to environmental sustainability, implementing green practices in production and working with suppliers who share the same values. “Our commitment extends to the entire supply chain, with specific guidelines for suppliers that reflect the group's mentality and vision,” explained Rosso.

In conclusion, Renzo Rosso outlined an ambitious vision for the future of Otb, with growth prospects, stock market listing in 2025 and evaluations of new acquisitions. The mission of sustainability, combined with worker well-being and social commitment, remains at the heart of the a strategycorporate, creating a balance between economic success and social responsibility.