STONE ISLAND

STONE ISLAND

Stone Island was born in 1982 in Ravarino, Italy, a small town in the Province of Modena. The story begins almost by chance from the creative mind of Massimo Osti, with the study of a special material: a two-sided and two-tone truck tarpaulin, so rigid and full-bodied that it had to undergo heavy stone wash procedures to tame the structure of the material. The result was surprising, a garment with a worn and highly appealing appearance. Seven jackets were made in that single canvas, named Tela Stella. The fabric recalls the waxed jackets corroded by the sea and by the sun. The garments draw inspiration from the military uniforms and by the work-wear, in terms of function and structure. To this, the “Badge” has been applied and held on by two buttons showing the Wind Rose and acting as the insignia of a military captain. The first collection was born with a strong identity and needed an important name: Stone Island, inspired by the most recurring words in the novels of Joseph Conrad. In 1983, Carlo Rivetti acquires 50% of the brand through his family business, GFT, Gruppo Finanziario Tessile, marking the start of the brand’s development. The 1980s are the years of the foundation and consolidation of the brand’s aesthetics. The collections express cutting-edge garments solidly based on real true functionality. The research on textile, treatment of the fabric, and garment dyeing techniques, are unique and unreachable. Stone Island embodies the “exhibitive” attitude of the ‘Paninari’, the first fully Italian fashion-conscious youth movement and inspired the interpreters of the British music scene, defined in the 90s as ‘Britpop’. Later on, it was exhibited and promoted by the public of the United Kingdom in the stadiums as a sign of distinction and belonging.