Former creative director of the Mugler Fashion Brand, NICOLA FORMICHETTI was confirmed as Diesel Brand's first artistic director in April 2013. Born to Japanese and Italian parents, Nicola was raised between Rome and Tokyo where he naturally developed a unique and eclectic style elevating him into the topmost echelon of emerging global fashion. From the look of Lady Gaga to the creation of the Japanese clothing brand Uniqlo's image, Nicola has also worked with Dolce & Gabbana, Alexander and served as the former fashion director of Vogue Hommes Japan and as contributing editor for V Magazine and VMAN in the US. In 2010, Nicola was named the Fashion Creator of the Year at the British Fashion Awards.

While initially starting as a photo stylist for magazine fashion shoots, Nicola quickly established himself as a unique visionary in the world of style and fashion. Eventually his career would launch into another level when he met global pop sensation Lady Gaga at a photo shoot for V Magazine. Instantly bonding in taste and vision, Nicola would be asked to become a major component into the Haus of Gaga, Lady Gaga's personal styling army. One of his most memorable concepts-turned-reality fashion statements would be the "meat dress" worn by Lady Gaga at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. Quickly becoming one of the most controversial statements of the year, it helped further cement both Nicola and his muse as pop-culture icons, eventually being named TIME Magazine's "Top Fashion Statement of 2010."

Through his relationship and work with Lady Gaga, Nicola made his biggest impact in culture. Previously the role and influence of stylists was more limited, and while others became designers, Nicola was the first to take control of a major fashion house which sent the message as the most prominent example of a stylist becoming a power broker within the industry.

In addition to his duties at Diesel, Nicola and his brother Andrea Formichetti created the Nico Panda clothing line based on the panda cartoon that looks like Nicola. The story behind the name, accordingly to Nicola, "my friends used to call me Nico Panda because Im half Asian, I had this long beard back then; and was a little chubby, so I looked like a bearan Asian bear. So people started calling me Nico Panda."

From fashion to style to his ongoing support of younger talents around the globe, Nicola continues to share his insights, creative philosophies and experiences with audiences all over the world.