Stone Island
WHO FOUNDED STONE ISLAND?
Massimo Osti
WHEN WAS STONE ISLAND FOUNDED?
Stone Island was founded in 1982 in Ravarino, Italy
WHERE DOES C.P. COMPANY FIT INTO STONE ISLAND’S HISTORY?
Over a decade before Massimo Osti founded the Italian fashion brand Stone Island, the Italian designer was busy launching another label called Chester Perry, which would become the C.P. Company in 1978. Like Stone Island, this brand’s claim to fame was also for a technical achievement—specifically the invention of dyeing garments made from multiple fabric and fiber types. A decade after this 1973 invention, Osti would revolutionize the garment industry once again with the invention of Tela Stella fabric.
WHY DO HOOLIGANS WEAR STONE ISLAND?
The subculture of rowdy footballers who caused a ruckus on British football terraces began in ‘80s England, but it wasn’t until the ‘90s that Stone Island weaved its way into that world of casual dress and fist fights. Particularly, it was the 1992 European Championships in Sweden that seemed to give the brand its breakout moment when England fans looted a clothing outlet called Genius that was stocked with Stone Island merch.
WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT STONE ISLAND?
Since the introduction of Tela Stella, Stone Island has become famous for its innovative fabrics. Among the highlights of their experiments (including a jacket made of stainless steel Teflon fibers) is the famed Ice jacket. Originally made from polyester and coated with liquid crystals in 1988, the jacket changes colors based on temperature and was upgraded in 2010 with a new, cutting-edge pigment.
WHERE CAN I BUY STONE ISLAND?
Check our Highsnobiety Shop for some of Stone Island’s best items.
1971
Massimo Osti founds the Chester Perry brand.
1973
Osti and his collaborators invent the process of dyeing garments made of multiple fabric and fiber types.
1978
Chester Perry is renamed the C.P. Company after English clothing brands Chester Barry and Fred Perry take legal action against Osti.
1982
Osti founds Stone Island, named after the novels of Joseph Conrad. In this first year, the brand’s now-famous Tela Stella fabric is introduced. The heavily-stonewashed, tarpaulin-like fabric is used to create a range of seven jackets in six colors.
1983
Carlo Rivetti, working at Italian licensing group GFT, buys a 50 percent stake in Stone Island and begins to run it alongside Osti. In the same year, the brand unveils the Raso Ray waterproof jacket.
1988
The Ice Jacket is introduced into Stone Island’s product line. The jacket changes color based on temperature thanks to liquid crystal coating.
1991-1994
Another technological innovation, the Reflective Jacket, is created. This jacket adheres a thin layer of glass to a waterproof fabric and can reflect bright and dim light.
Stone Island becomes integral to “terrace casual” football style thanks to the 1992 European Championships in Sweden. After England loses, fans loot a Swedish clothing outlet called Genius that is stocked with Stone Island merch.
Osti departs from Stone Island, leaving Rivetti to run the company. British designer Paul Harvey takes over as the director of the brand.
2008-2009
Stone Island unveils the Shadow Project, a capsule collection that shows the brand’s latest innovations.
Stone Island collabs with adidas Original on tech-heavy Sambas sneakers.
2014-2015
The Supreme Stone Island collection drops—the start of a continued partnership between the two brands.
Canadian rapper Drake is pictured wearing Stone Island at Wimbledon and other venues. In the same year, the brand’s North American revenue grows to $97 million and a flagship store is opened in New York.
2018-2019
Stone Island posts a revenue just shy of €200 million.
2020-2021
Moncler acquires Stone Island for $1.4 billion.
Carlo Rivetti buys the Modena club.
2022
Stone Island pays homage to the subcultures that shaped the brand for its 40th birthday.
Stone Island’s 6th prototype research series is Kevlar spectacle.
Corrosive treatments make an appearance.
