Diesel, as a brand and as a company has always been forward thinking, innovative and groundbreaking. And for its Fall 2007 collection, Creative Director Wilbert Das touched on New York City’s past in present with the blending of Native American influences with the city’s skyscrapers.

For those not familiar with the history of New York City, wherein Dutch trader Peter Minuit bought the island of Manhattan from the Canarsie Indians for a load of cloth, beads, hatchets, and other miscellaneous items, this tidbit will explain the inspiration for the collection.

Delving on Manhattan’s Native American past, Das used feathers as headdresses and as prints on shirts, blouses and dresses, while at the same time bringing on the spotlight one of Diesel’s most enduring icons, the ‘Only the Brave’ punk Native American logo.

This contrast of heritage, both from the Native Americans and Diesel, blended with prints of the Manhattan skyline provided the background for a futuristic tribe of proud and poised individuals, the denizens of the future New York City wearing shiny nylon, silk and lurex tempered by black fox fur, soft jersey and the rugged luxury of treated leather.

It’s not just the prints that the Manhattan skyline inspired. It was also seem in the stiletto heels on knee-high and thigh-high boots and the strong colors of polished black, metallic copper and white.

Splashes of blue and purple added softness to this ‘tough chic collection’, while the glossy black piping gave it a very futuristic look. Patent leather provides a tough carapace – yet there is also the delicate touch of embroidery.

Silhouettes are slim. High-waisted pencil thin pants for women, while the men sported trousers with natural waists and belts with the Diesel logo.

And of course, denim was also shown; this is Diesel after all. Proposing different washes of denim on jeans, mini dresses, jumpsuits and skirts, Das’s vision was complete.