Diesel CEO Renzo Rosso has sponsored the restoration of one of Venice’s most famous landmarks, the Ponte di Rialto. The businessman has donated €5.5 million (£4.46 million), towards improving and maintaining the 16th-Century bridge.
"There is no city in the world that is more beautiful in terms of architecture – and it’s the city of love," Rosso told WWD. "It’s close to my heart, where I went to university, and a point of reference for me."
Work on the bridge is expected to last 18 months and be completed for February 2016. The Diesel boss described the landmark as "the most important bridge historically, one of the world’s wonders".
Rosso dismissed accusations that the sponsorship was simply a publicity stunt, adding that he wanted his involvement to be "creative, not invasive".
"Let’s give back to the territory," he said. "A modern entrepreneur should help, not replace, the public administration that is often overburdened with costs." The donation was made through Rosso’s holding, Only the Brave Srl, which controls Diesel, Viktor & Rolf and Maison Martin Margiela, among others.
Source: Vogue