Stone Island’s History

Stone Island was born from a fabric. 

 

In 1982, Italian designer Massimo Osti created TELA STELLA, a heavy wash, resin-printed military grade canvas that seemed an unlikely material for clothes for the modern city life. Carlo Rivetti, his business partner, joined Stone Island in 1983. He realized that Stone Island, with its utilitarian ethos, could be at the forefront of the casual revolution in menswear. In the ensuing decades the brand developed a reputation for material research and functionality, the same spirit that drives it today.

1980s

Inception 

Massimo Osti founds Stone Island on the promise of a military-grade cotton canvas fabric which he developed, refined, and ultimately named Tela Stella. He creates a capsule collection of seven jackets, inspired by military gear and workwear.

 

In 1983 Carlo Rivetti joins Stone Island shortly after its founding, propelling the brand to the forefront of the Italian fashion industry.

 

Raso Gommato, a rubberized coated canvas, is introduced in 1984.

 

The first Ice Jacket is introduced in 1989 using thermosensitive fabric sourced from Japan.

1990s

Momentum

Carlo Rivetti spearheads Stone Island as Massimo Osti departs to pursue other projects. Paul Harvey joins the brand as head designer. 

 

Stone Island starts researching reflectivity, introducing the REFLECTIVE JACKET in 1992. 

 

PURE METAL SHELL jacket is introduced into the collection. First experiments in dyeing KEVLAR®.


2000s

Progression

After Paul Harvey’s departure, Carlo Rivetti begins to lead the creative design team.  

 

Rivetti appoints Errolson Hugh to design an experimental Shadow Project line. 

 

RASO GOMMATO HAND PAINTED CAMOUFLAGE, GRAPHITE, WAXED ICE JACKET, and LIQUID REFLECTIVE are introduced into the collection. 

2010s

Expansion

The brand enters its collaborative era after being approached by Adidas. Collaborations with New Balance, Supreme, NikeLab, Porter and Persol follow. 

 

Ghost, a capsule of elevated offerings, with the badge matching the colour of the garment, is introduced in 2011. 

 

In 2012, the brand celebrates its 30th anniversary with a major exhibition at the Stazione Leopolda in Florence, unveiled during the Pitti Uomo fair.

 

The Prototype Research_Series of experimental garments is introduced in 2016. 

 

The LEATHER ICE JACKET DYNEEMA® layer and the REFLECTIVE KNIT are introduced into the collection. 

2020s

New Direction

2020 - The brand expands its cultural footprint by launching its first music project, Stone Island Sound, and with a dedicated stage at the C2C music festival of Turin and a series of live events.

 

2021 - Stone Island becomes part of the Moncler Group, signalling a new phase of growth and global presence.

 

2022 - The brand’s 40th anniversary is celebrated with dedicated product launches and an installation in Miami. A partnership with Rem Koolhaas’s OMA/AMO architecture firm for the brand’s new retail identity is established. The new concept, designed to foster interaction and showcase the brand’s dedication to material research and product experimentation, is unveiled in Chicago, followed by Munich, Paris, Stockholm, Vienna, Hangzhou and New York.

 

2024 - A brand manifesto “The Compass Inside” is unveiled along with a new advertising campaign under the motto “Community as a Form of Research,” each season featuring 12 members of the Stone Island community. Stone Island presents a collection in collaboration with Dior. Stone Island releases Infinite Colours, a feature-length “docu-poem” directed by Ken-Tonio Yamamoto, documenting the brand’s community in its Ravarino headquarters. 

 

2025 - Stone Island Sound cultural initiative expanded under the tagline “Sound as a Form of Research" featuring playlists from the members of its community, a podcast, and Studio One, a custom sound system designed and built by Friendly Pressure.