Diesel founder to buy Marni?

Speculation is mounting that Renzo Rosso, the multi-millionaire founder fo Diesel, is about the buy a stake in Italian fashion house Marni.

Renzo Russo, the millionaire founder of Diesel, is said to be in serious talks with the owners of Marni regarding acquisition of a stake in the Italian fashion house, reportsWWD .

Marni, who earlier this year collaborated with H&M to produce a sell-out collection, revealed in October that he and his wife, creative director Consuelo, were seeking a financial partner to aid their growth and retail expansion.

IN PICTURES: Marni spring/summer 2013

Speculation surrounding Rosso, who is a close friend of Marni's CEO and founder, Gianni Castiglioni and his creative director wife Consuelo, has been mounting for some tome, and some sources have previously suggested that at one point Rosso wanted a majority stake in the business, but that Castiglioni was reluctant.

If Rosso does claim a stake in the popular label, it will likely sit under his Only The Brave holdings company, where it will be shoulder-to-shoulder with brand's such as Maison Martin Margiela, Diesel and Viktor & Rolf.

In other news, the wealthy entrepreneur has today pledged €5.5 million to restore Venice's most famous bridge, the Ponte di Rialto. "There is no city in the world that is more beautiful in terms of architecture, and it's the city of love," he told WWD . "It's close to my heart, where I went to university and a point of reference for me."