Ducati's new partnership with Italian fashion-house Diesel combines both companies' design flair and charisma. According to Gabriele Del Torchio, President of Ducati Motor Holding, "The collaboration with Diesel underlines our focus on the style and trends that shape the market. I am delighted to associate our world with that of fashion and, in particular, with Diesel. Both brands globally represent technology and innovation in pure Italian style."

Stefano Rosso, Project Leader and son of the Diesel founder, told us, "When we had the opportunity to work with Ducati with last year's MotoGP sponsorship, we discovered a whole world of shared values andcommon roots." The Partnership is marked by Diesel's dedicated Capsule Collection, and stores will now carry Ducati-branded apparel inspired by technical wear. "Combining cool design and a strong motorcyclist style, the new collection is identified by a brave and irreverent touch," Rosso went on to say.
Composed of 11 different styles, the line includes slim-fitting biker jackets, sweats, tees, a unique five-pocket jean in raw denim, and a set of accessories. All the pieces are characterized by pure biker attitude, clean technical details, and bold Diesel graphics, such as the treated rubber prints recalling the burnt rubber of the motorcycle's tires. Colors for the collection are black, grey, and white, with pop-up red inspired by logos from both brands, while the range of fabrics goes from treated nylon and cotton, to denim and over-dyed jersey mix with leather and metal appications.

Ducati, for its part, has produced the Diesel Monster 1100 EVO - an urban military chic interpretation of Ducati's iconic naked motorcycle. Diesel founder Renzo Rosso and the Ducati Design Centre guided stylists to a pleasingly subtle them that expresses the core values of the partnership, and gives an avant-garde choice for connoisseurs of the motorcycling lifestyle. Set against the black treatment of Ducati's sinature trellis frame, wheels, engine covers, exhaust system, and forks, the exclusive Diesel Brave Green matte livery delivers a rugged military vehicle feel, while the front brake calipers are finished in  shocking yellow to remind observers of the model's performance heritage.

Only 150 Diesel model Ducati Monsters will be imported into the US for 2012 and, judging by the enthusiastic furor from the Ducatisti attending the launch party in New York, the supply will sell out quickly.

Article is from " Ultimate Motorcycle " magazine May 2012 edition