Synopsis
Stone Island is an iconic, urban inspired street wear brand with cult status. The first book on the history and output of the brand, this book is an essential for lovers of street style and fashion., Since its inception in 1982, Stone Island has acquired a worldwide cult following for its cutting edge outerwear. Neither fashion, nor luxury, nor streetwear, Stone Island has combined the elements of all three into a unique mix that has resonated with the Milanese paninari , the British football diehards, and the North American hip-hop fans alike. In the world where brands latch on to culture, through its almost four-decade existence Stone Island influenced it. The long roster of its celebrity fans includes the Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, the rappers Drake and Travis Scott, and the football guru Pep Guardiola. But it's not the celebrity nod that has made Stone Island a cultural cornerstone; it was the brand's ardent everyday fans who have always appreciated its mix of performance and toughness. At the center of Stone Island's success lies its relentless pursuit of excellence in design, and uncompromising spirit of experimentation with fabric treatment and dyeing techniques. This product-oriented stance has secured the brand's unique place outside of fashion's hierarchy. This definitive monograph captures the story of Stone Island, combining its history and ethos into one definitive source. With never-before-seen images and three major texts capturing the brand's story, it will surely delight the brand's diehard fans as well as those who are new to the world of Stone Island. With introduction by Carlo Rivetti and foreword by Angelo Flaccavento., Founded in 1982 in Ravarino by noted menswear designer Massiomo Osti, Stone Island has a storied history famed for use of highly technical and innovative materials. At the heart of the brand lies a strong culture of experimentation and function, loose fitting, urban inspired pieces made of heat sensitive material, stunning iridescent fabrics, marked with the iconic Stone Island patch. A favourite of Spike Lee, Drake and the British boy-band One Direction, the brand has its broadest appeal in the football terraces of the English Premier League. Starting in the 1990s Stone Island parkas appeared on the stands at Stoke City, Blackburn, Motherwell and cities in the north, migrating ever south to the Midlands, and ultimately to London teams like Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham. Infamously worn by the likes of Pep Guardiola, the Manchester Guardian notes that the brand entered "into fashion folklore as a tough, working-class premium brand that could set you back a couple of months' wages for a single jacket." More recently, the brand has experienced an additional surge in popularity, garnering an explosive following in the rap, hip-hop scene, and grime scenes rocked by the likes of Travis Scott, Vince Staples, Skepta, Kano, and Boy Better Know. Cementing its place among the masters of contemporary cool, Stone Island has an ongoing collab with Supreme and recently dropped a collaboration with Nike. This is the first book published on the complete history of the brand, from inception to modern day. Straight from the Stone Island archives, this volume is filled with stunning, never before seen images and texts, this book also takes a deep dive into the technical processes that this brand is known for.
