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The Italian brand has a history that spans over three decades, delivering innovative quality products that are both stylish and functional. The story of Stone Island begins in the early 1980s when Massimo Osti founded the brand off the back of his invention of a new fabric, “Tela Stella”. Osti was a designer who was known for his innovative fabric treatments, having already launched CP Company in the 1970s and this new brand quickly became known for its high-quality clothing that utilised new materials and techniques .
An early signature piece following the “Tela Stella” items was the “Raso Gommato” jacket. One of many military-inspired jackets, it was made from cotton satin and featured a rubber coating that gave it added durability and water resistance. The Raso Gommato jacket was a classic and set the tone for Stone Island’s future designs. During the 1990s, Stone Island continued to expand its product line and gain a following among fashion enthusiasts, its popularity in part accelerated by football casuals who brought the brand to new eyes after England away fans looted a store in Sweden that stocked Stone Island in 1992. As the years progressed the brand continued to experiment with new materials, such as reflective fabrics and thermochromic dyes, which further cemented its reputation for innovation.
Osti may have founded the company but was by no means the only person integral to the brand’s development, having stepped down relatively early in 1994. In 1993 the company was sold to Carlo Rivetti who had been working with Osti since 1983, and in 1996 Paul Harvey took over as the brand’s designer, becoming responsible for some of Stone Island’s most iconic designs and remaining until 2008.
The brand’s continuing relevance shows no signs of slowing, with US hip hop artists increasingly wearing Stone Island, spreading the brand to a wider overseas audience. The Stone Island compass badge is one of the most recognizable logos in fashion and, in light of the recent buyout by Moncler, doesn’t seem to going anywhere anytime soon.