Forty years ago, in 1982, Stone Island was launched into the world, and this year they have been busy marking that momentous anniversary with an incredible series of events, store openings, limited edition drops and collaborations.
Birthed in Italy and adopted by the country’s Paninaro subculture in the mid-80s, Stone Island quickly became known across Europe for its groundbreaking fabrications and innovative designs. Over the last four decades the label has found a home with everyone from football casuals to streetwear aficionados to the biggest stars in hip-hop, like Drake and Skepta.
To cap off a year of celebrating that incredible fashion legacy, the brand threw a huge party in Miami – where they opened a store in the Design District during Art Basel week – featuring a huge light installation referencing their iconic compass logo. The visual dynamically shifted textures and colours throughout the evening as a line-up of incredible DJs — Jamie xx, O.Bee, Tomas Station and Jonny Rock — played all night long to thousands of Stone Island’s fans, family, friends and community.
The brand’s strong history provides a continuous source of inspiration for Stone Island, who released a series of garments over the year that honoured their anniversary and historic spirit of innovation: a reinterpretation of a Tela Stella cape from 1982, and a special edition glow in the dark hooded jacket. In this celebrative year — following the special projects with Daniel Arsham, New Balance and Supreme — Stone Island has also unveiled a partnership with OMA/AMO to re-design the concept of the brand’s stores, with the first one inaugurated in Chicago this October.
Not a bad way to celebrate forty years of history, and to push ahead into the future.
Credits
All images courtesy of Stone Island