While here in Britain we’re just starting to gear up for the summer, Stone Island Autumn/Winter 2019 sees the brand looking to the future with their video presentation on their fantastic new collection.
Shot in the brand’s usual moody, industrial style, there’s a lot of excellent product packed into the video’s one and a half minutes. While the brand is no stranger to bold, bright shades concocted in their dyeing laboratories, the Stone Island AW19 collection takes this a step further with mix-and-match colour blocking. This is demonstrated perfectly in the second look in the video—a full outfit comprised of a mountaineering-inspired jacket and trousers. With all its elements dyed in different shades from yellow to navy to maroon, the combo boasts a highly layered and structured look that’s at once futuristic and retro, perfect for those who can’t decide which colour to wear on a morning.
Elsewhere we see a series of knits and sweats that are constructed with patchwork-style panelling, with each side of the piece displaying opposite colours and textures; garment-dyed nylon ripstop pieces in bold neon oranges and yellows; and an all-new utility boot silhouette with a striking, sculpted sole unit. And, for you monochrome fans, there’s a brief glimpse of the highly sought-after Ghost Piece collection for this season. It feels like we say this every season, but this Stone Island collection is one of the brand’s strongest to date, and proof—if proof were needed—that Carlo Rivetti’s team are at the top of their game.
There’s plenty more to sink your teeth into in the video itself, so check it out above, and keep your eyes locked on our social media channels for more Stone Island Autumn/Winter 2019 drops as they land.
Stone Island’s reputation continues to build, a brand at the heartbeat of the casual scene, synonymous with the music, football and street culture.
The History of the Stone Island Brand
The Stone Island brand name has many different connotations for many different people; for some, it is inextricably linked with football culture, in particular the casual movement — either in a positive or a negative sense; for others, it has become associated with the grime music scene and has extended its reach beyond the terraces and onto the streets. But first and foremost, that iconic Compass badge on your sleeve is a symbol of quality, innovation and style — the principles on which the brand as we know it was founded back in 1982.
Stone Island owner Carlo Rivetti is from a family with long ties to the clothing industry. By the 1980s, though, he had grown restless within the world of formalwear and sought to diversify into something he found more appealing: sportswear. He and his sister established a firm — the creatively-named Sportswear Company — and scoured Italy looking for companies that shared their vision for innovative casual clothing, where they discovered (and promptly acquired) CP Company.
Stone Island itself, however, was conceived almost by accident: Massimo Osti — founder and designer for CP Company, and household name for those in the know about technical sportswear — had conceived a new fabric dubbed Tela Stella, a heavyweight, oilskin-like material impregnated with different pigments on either side and was determined to make something out of it. He couldn’t find a way to make it fit within CP Company’s collection, however, and so decided to craft a small collection of just seven jackets. In keeping with the military and nautical inspiration behind the Tela Stella fabric, he chose a compass as the logo for his new diffusion line: Stone Island was born.
Stone Island and Streetwear: From the Terraces to the Streets
Moving forward from this inauspicious start, Osti pushed ahead with fabric innovation, endlessly researching new textiles and ways to implement them, coming up with often outlandish, off the wall fabrics that no-one else had even thought of: heat-reactive weaves; nylon fabric laminated with hundreds of glass beads to change the colour in different angles; earth-dyed, acid-corroded canvas. This over-the-top approach, along with the masculine, military styling of the brand’s offerings was a large part of ‘Stoney’s’ appeal to the football casual crowd: fans travelling abroad for away and international games were always on the lookout for new and exciting garments to bring home and show off. Stone Island, with the one-off and unique nature of a lot of Osti’s fabrics, fits perfectly into this culture of one-upmanship, and the brand’s popularity was cemented from then on.
Because of this association with the hyper-masculine world of football casuals, the brand’s enduring legacy has been as a symbol of manliness. In more recent years, it has been adopted by inner-city kids in the UK as a status symbol, and in turn, became associated with the grime music scene. Buoyed up by high-profile collaborations with streetwear giants Supreme and Nike, the brand’s appeal has diversified beyond connoisseurs and collectors, particularly across the Atlantic. Urban music superstars like Drake, Frank Ocean and Travis Scott have all embraced the ‘Stoney’ look of late, skyrocketing interest in a brand that was previously alien to those not living in Europe, and launching its appeal to a whole new generation of streetwear fans.
Stone Island Fabrics: Continuing Innovation
These days, far from being helmed by a single visionary like Massimo Osti or later designer Paul Harvey, Carlo Rivetti has assembled a team of designers to better embrace its newfound worldwide popularity and the diversity of its fanbase, stating “It [is] necessary to be multicultural in order to be truly contemporary … I felt that in this era it is this possible to face all aspects of a world only with several minds and several visions.”
This ethos has lead to the continuation of the innovation and research that Massimo Osti started all those years ago, and Stone Island holds its reputation for using unusual and technologically-advanced fabrics and finishes. Some recent examples:
Micro Reps: Stone Island Micro Reps is one of the brand’s staple fabric constructions. Classic nylon, the warp and weft fibres are of different thicknesses, allowing for a much tighter weave than traditional nylon fabric. This not only provides natural weather resistance but serves as the ideal base for the brand’s garment dyeing experiments.
Crinkle Reps: Named after its appearance, stone island crinkle reps jackets are crafted from lightweight nylon reps with an ultra-tight weaving construction that is garment-dyed.
Nylon Metal: We’ve written about this one before: nylon fibres with an irregular structure are woven as grey weft and white, ready to dye warp threads, and undergo an elaborate double-dyeing process to produce a fabric that has an iridescent sheen in different lighting conditions. This can produce a subtle three-dimensional effect, or be used with bright, contrasting colours to provide some pretty wild results.
Tank Shield: Crafted from matte polyester fabric, the whole jacket is first assembled and then internally laminated with overlapping panels of a weatherproof, breathable membrane, giving superior weather resistance and a near-seamless look.
Heat Reactive: A highly limited capsule, the Stone Island Heat Reactive jacket from SS19 was a cotton ripstop construction, printed all over with a three-colour fractal camo design in a heat reactive pigment. As the wearer’s body heat warmed the fabric, the pattern became brighter and more prominent, also revealing a large Stone Island logo to the back.
This is just a tiny fraction of the scope of the brand’s vision: the brand’s own historical archive consists of over 7000 pieces, while their research archive is larger still, at over 40,000 items of vintage sportswear and militaria.
Stone Island Badges
Aside from the high-end fabrics and construction, perhaps the most important element of a Stone Island product is the removable badge, normally found on the left side of the garment, with the Marina collection breaking the mould and not featuring the badge at all, instead opting for bold text printing. There are a number of different versions of the badge which denote different aspects of the brand. The standard, most commonly recognised badge is the yellow and green compass rose badge (above left). Despite switching from a green border to a black one, the classic badge has remained unchanged since the brand’s inception and is a tribute to both the military inspiration of the brand and the sense of adventure and exploration driving Osti’s research.
There are a number of monochromatic badges (above centre) that were originally used for what the brand dubbed Ghost Pieces: with fully tonal designs in a variety of colours, including black, red and white, they were conceived as a kind of modern camouflage, allowing the wearer to blend in while still keeping the unmistakeable Stone Island aesthetic. More recently, the tonal black badge has been used to denote pieces from the Shadow Project diffusion line: combining Stone Island’s technical fabric expertise with directional, futuristic designs from ACRONYM’s Errolson Hugh.
The White Compass badge (above right) is seen on limited edition pieces, often known as ‘Champagne Pieces’ because of the colour of the badge. These jackets often use even more innovative fabrics and construction that can only be created in small quantities and are often at a higher price point to the normal line, due to the limited nature of their production. Of course, the flip side of this limited aspect is that the pieces become collector’s items in years to come, holding their value for a lot longer than others, if not increasing it.
Interested in learning more about the Stone Island Badge? Dive into our recent articles that delve into the journey of the Stone Island Badge’s evolution. Discover the rich history behind this emblem and explore its intriguing variations throughout the years.
As mentioned above, Stone Island has been spotted on more and more celebrities recently. One of the more high-profile representatives of the brand has been music superstar Drake, who seems to wear the brand almost exclusively these days, even going so far as to have custom pieces made for his Boy Meets World tour. Drizzy is joined in his love for Stoney by fellow Canadian star The Weeknd, who was recently spotted wearing pieces from the Supreme x Stone Island collaboration (for extra streetwear kudos), as well as rap mainstays Kanye West and Travis Scott.
Back over in Blighty, grime artists are often spotted sporting the Compass, including Tinie Tempah and Skepta, while Hollywood hardman Jason Statham is another of the brand’s high profile fans.
Stone Island Headquarters Tour Video
In this unique video, Carlo Rivetti opens the door to the Stone Island empire and allows the public a sneak peek at the research and experimentation that goes on behind the scenes. It offers a fascinating glance into how the brand operates behind closed doors.
It goes without saying that Stone Island know their way around a jacket; Carlo Rivetti and his talented team of designers, engineers and artists create outerwear like no other. As nice as the summertime is, now that the stock for Stone Island Autumn/Winter is starting to trickle in tantalisingly slowly, we can start to look forward to ‘proper coat weather’. A staple of the brand’s collections, the Stone Island Crinkle Reps Nylon Down Jacket returns this season in a bold and beautiful orange shade.
As with most of the brand’s signature fabrics, the Crinkle Reps goes through a host of processes to give it not only a deep, rich colour, but also a distinctive handle and visual texture. The raw fabric, a high-quality nylon, is tightly woven for a smooth, uniform texture. The nylon is coated on the reverse side with a polyurethane resin, which adds mild weather resistance. The fabric is then subjected to a garment-dyeing process using one of Stone Island’s custom dye formulas. The high heat and pressure of the process changes the texture of the fabric, and means that the dye penetrates the fibres unevenly. This results in a crinkled, three-dimensional appearance with an amazing depth of colour. This orange colour is echoed throughout Stone Island’s upcoming collection in sweatshirts, hoodies and other pieces.
After all that science, the designers take over, fashioning the fabric into the stunning jacket you see here. It features thick, down-injected baffles for exceptional warmth, but remains lightweight enough for daily use. It also boasts a host of classic Stone Island flourishes: two-way zips; military style nylon webbing trims; and an articulated hood that ensures you’ll look just as good with it up or down. And, of course, the jacket is finished with the all-important Compass Badge to the left sleeve.
It’s an incredible teaser for the upcoming season, and is sure to whet your appetite for what’s to come. Pick up your Stone Island Crinkle Reps Down Jacket today, and keep your eyes on our social media feeds for more from Stone Island AW19 as it arrives.
While it sometimes feels like the polo shirt has been around forever, it’s less than a hundred years old. Ever since its invention by tennis legend Renée Lacoste in the 1920s, men all over the world have adopted and adapted the polo shirt as part of a casual wardrobe. Its lightweight feel and construction lends itself to a huge variety of looks, and the wide variety of polo shirts on offer ensures that there’s a perfect version for everyone.
Here at Aphrodite we have a huge selection of men’s designer polo shirts. But sometimes too much choice is a bad thing, so we’re here to help with our selection of the 9 best polo shirts for men this summer. Whether you’re looking for a luxury take for those special nights out, a bold option for everyday layering, or a non-traditional take from one of our top brands, you’ll find some great ideas in our selection below.
Polo Shirts Over £100
Moncler Arm Logo Polo Shirt
While known for their highly luxurious, down-filled jackets, Moncler always has a top-notch polo or two in their seasonal lineup. For Spring/Summer 2019, the standout piece is this version, which boasts striped detailing to the cuffs, along with jacquard-woven text branding to the left arm and, of course, the all-important Moncler felt logo to the chest for that iconic finish.
Stone Island Tipped Collar Polo Shirt
A perennial fixture of Stone Island‘s lineup, the polo shirt appears this season in this summer-ready washed lemon colour. Nodding to classic versions with twin-tipped detailing to the collar, and improving on the formula with engineered shoulders for exceptional comfort, the finishing touch comes with an embroidered square logo to the chest.
Ralph Lauren All-Over Logo Polo Shirt
From the brand that brought the polo shirt from the sports field into the fashion sphere, this version replicates the iconic Polo Ralph Lauren logo across the full body of the shirt. A nod to the preppy classic ‘critter’ garments, which also boasted all-over embroidery, this polo is ideal for wearing solo with shorts for that elusive collegiate vibe.
Polo Shirts Under £100
CP Company Garment Dyed Polo Shirt
Bringing their signature garment-dyeing techniques to this most classic of garments, CP Company present their take on the polo shirt. Coming in a wide range of colours, we’ve selected this slightly washed-out blue that would look the business relaxing on a yacht in the French Riviera, perhaps — or, more likely, your favourite beer garden.
Maison Kitsune Fox Logo Polo Shirt
One of the newest brands in our lineup, Maison Kitsune tap into the polo’s Gallic origins perhaps better than anyone else. Crafted in Portugal from a fine cotton piqué fabric, the cut and quality are both spot on. But the real selling point is that fantastic tricolour fox logo embroidered to the chest.
Fred Perry Twin Tipped Polo Shirt
One of the most iconic polo shirts in the business, the Fred Perry polo shirt requires no introduction. This season the heritage brand has unleashed a brace of polos in the kind of sun-drenched colours that are begging to be worn all summer long. The signature Laurel Wreath embroidery to the chest is the icing on a particularly summery cake.
Alternative Polo Shirt Picks
Paul Smith Knitted Shirt Aubergine
While the polo shirt is already one of the best casual garments for warmer-weather wear, Paul Smith really ups the classic factor with this knitted version. The knitted polo has a storied history with some of the world’s most iconic snappy dressers — think the likes of Steve McQueen or John F Kennedy — and Paul Smith has nailed that vibe perfectly.
Y-3 Classic Polo Shirt
If your tastes skew more towards the dark and urban, Y-3 have the polo for you. While the polo shirt isn’t necessarily part of the streetwear canon, Y-3 have really made it work with their version. Boasting a looser cut and heavier fabric than the norm, this polo would fit perfectly with an all-black ensemble and your latest sneaker purchase.
Oliver Spencer Dunmore Polo Shirt
London-based tailor-turned-designer Oliver Spencer has made a name for himself with his use of custom-crafted jersey fabrics, so it follows that his namesake brand would provide us with some excellent polo options. This version comes in a super-soft striped jersey fabric and boasts a rugby inspired collar along with a chest pocket for a subtle yet unexpected upgrade.
Find all these designer polo shirts along with many more choices in-store and online at Aphrodite today.
A brand new Stone Island Membrana 3L TC jacket recently found its way through our doors and it got us all fondly reminiscing about the numerous reasons we can’t get enough of the Italian sportswear brand. So in an ode to the material maestros themselves and a pledge of allegiance to the compass patch we took a quick look into what makes them so good at what they do and why this fresh bit of Membrana has got us flying the Ravarino flag for all to see.
Take one glance at the sheer scale and variety of Stone Island’s impressive textiles resume and you know they mean business. Favouring the worlds of laboratories and practicality over that of runways and frivolity, Osti’s brand pursues a fierce desire to push the limits of what can and can’t be done when it comes to clothing, priding themselves on their defined sensibilities and a strong philosophy driven design ethos that prioritises the cornerstones of research, experimentation and functionality above all else.
The result? Some of the most technically pleasing garments we’ve had the fortune of getting our hands on, and that’s putting it lightly. In the years they’ve spent redefining the expectations when it comes to anything from outerwear to joggers they’ve not only amassed over 60,000 different dye recipes to compliment a vast list of bespoke materials, but turned things on their head when it comes to how garments are created, treated and subsequently finished all the while developing a dedicated cult following of detachable patch fanatics.
Photo Credit: Stone Island
Just take a look at when the brand adopted something as ubiquitous as a chunky knitwear jumper into their revered ICE collection infusing it with a double layering of both pure wool and a thermo-sensitive yarn that resulted in changes of colour when the garment was exposed to a drop in temperature. Or, what about Stone Island’s nylon metal ripstop fabric? Arguably one of their most recognisable materials to date, it has been applied to a countless number of silhouettes boasting a trilobate structure that undergoes an intensive double-dye procedure to adapt it’s iconic metallic / tonic sheen with some pieces optimised further still with an internal resin treatment for an extra functional flair of elemental protection. In truth you could pick up any one of Stone Island’s products and spend hours discussing its nuances and intricate details whether it be a Tella Stella jacket or a pair of Felpa Placatta shorts the possibilities, in Stone Island’s opinion, truly are endless.
This latest addition to our Stone Island arsenal is no different. Cut in a slightly longer parka style length the jacket boasts plenty of intrinsic militaristic appeal and delivers on all fronts when it comes to a number of constructive complexities. Engineered from a lightweight performance fabric Stone Island refer to as Membrana 3L TC the jacket utilises a three pronged approach putting to work an opaque nylon outer layer laminated to a breathable, water resistant and windproof membrane which is then further reinforced with an impalpable polyester base. Not only does this mean the jacket is perfect for this time of year but it allows for Stone Island’s dyeing expertise to be applied directly to the outer layer whilst preserving the protective qualities of the underlying fabric.
But that’s not all, aside from the top notch composition on offer the Stone Island Membrana 3L TC Jacket also comes equipped with an array of utilitarian attributes to serve your day to day needs including a plethora of pockets to keep your personal possessions safe, double velcro secured storm flaps with two-way main zip and both waist and hem adjusters to add shape if necessary. Perhaps one of the most notable features of the jacket however is it’s ability to be altered to fit your specific needs as fast as you could say, trilobate structure nylon micro ripstop weave, with the hood and both sleeves easily removable should the occasion call for it… and did we mention there is a removable compass patch on the sleeve?
Perhaps as they say in the world of motion picture it would be better to show rather than tell…
We’re up to our eyeballs in hot off the press Spring Summer gear and surprise, Surprise It’s all exceptionally nice. Whether AMI’s your thing, you have a sweet spot for a good pair of trainers or you just can’t contain yourself at the sight of a compass patch, if you want it, we’ve more than likely got it. So, in the spirit of fairness, we thought we’d bring you a comprehensive list of some of the pulse-raising clobber you can currently get your hands on as well as some of the stuff that’s soon to be up for grabs.
Albam Zip sweatshirts
This new iteration of the classic Albamzip-up sweatshirt certainly stole some looks when it came through our doors. Made from their quality signature cotton loopback in both a navy and ecru colourway, it features panelling to the elbows, a handy front kangaroo pouch and elasticated cuffs for a better fit. Not only that, but thanks to it’s half-zip, funnel neck combination it provides some interesting layering options. Wear it under a lightweight coat, pair it with a nice button up shirt or wear them both on top of one another, you can’t really go wrong when you’re wearing a sweat this nice.
CP Company Jackets
Who doesn’t love a jacket with loads of zips and pockets? No one that’s who and theseCP Company jackets are exactly why. Made from the brand’s unique multifilament nylon that’s undergone the mystical CP garment dyeing process it features a 4-pocket utilitarian design that’s perfect for keeping personal possessions and old bus tickets safe. Lightweight, breathable, water resistant and available in both a red and blue you can find the iconic goggles to the hood and both a half-zip and full-zip entry options. If someone asked you to sum up CP Company in jacket form this is more than likely what you’d come up with.
Oliver Spencer Trousers
What can we say about these trousers from Oliver Spencer? Well, for starters they have a relaxed casual fit with a slight taper and cropped length that’s perfect for contemporary styling. On top of that, they also come made from a mid-weight cotton that not only lends itself perfectly to the earthy olive colourway but embeds the trousers with some robust, long-lasting qualities. Finished with the addition of a side patch pocket to one leg for some workwearesque details they will be available very soon so keep eyes peeled and fingers at the ready.
APC Trousers
Another of our favourites when it comes to things you wear on your legs. Aptly named the job trousers this latest offering from APC continues on the workwear theme boasting a straight cut, patch pockets to the sides and a trusty hammer loop. Made from a soft, lightweight Italian cotton drill the true star of the show here is undeniably the visually pleasing striped pattern embedded from seam to seam. If you’re looking to impress the gaffa these are the trousers to do it. Coming very soon along with a matching, similarly delightful overshirt.
AMI Sweatshirt
Next on our ones to look out for list is this corker from AMI. Featuring a number of modern shakeups to the classic scrum-ready formula including a bold stitched panel striped design, a super boxy cut and contrast AMI logo proudly to the chest it promises to be a firm favourite no matter your sporting preference.
Stone Island Overshirt
Not only does the distinct colour of this Stone Island overshirt remind us of a fresh lemon sorbet but it arguably presents just about the same melt in the mouth qualities. Made from a brushed cotton canvas that’s garment-dyed using the OLD effect, that Stone Island describes to us mere mortals as providing a vintage-inspired worn-in look, the overshirt comes with a zip and patch chest pocket as well as a removable sleeve compass patch.
Stone Island Overshirt Ghost Piece
Continuing on the Stone Island theme this monochromatic beauty certainly caught our attention. Part of the Stone Island Ghost Piece Capsule it’s made from a cotton and nylon blend and comes complete with two front patch pockets with side entry compartments as well as ribbed cuffs for a better fit. Designed in an over the head style the overshirt is finished with an adjustable clasp drawstring hood and the all important tonal removable compass patch to the arm.
Norse Projects T-Shirt
Raising the bar when it comes to things you can do with cotton Norse Projects present the latest reimagining of their wardrobe staple Niels t-shirt. Using a heavily textured towelling for multi-sensory appeal, the t-shirt retains the same levels of minimalism expected from Norse with a ribbed neck and subtly branded patch to the seam. Available now in a muted ecru and deep olive.
New Balance 991
A favourite among sneakerheads, dads and fashion-forward individuals alike the New Balance 991 has been given a luxurious update ready for when the weather heats up. With breathable mesh uppers and premium suede overlaid panelling, the trainer sits atop the signature ‘motion flow’ sole unit with visible Abzorb foam and reflective gold detailing. The best of both worlds when it comes to functional comfort and aesthetically pleasing design.
Ten C Tempest Anorak
Drawing inspiration from typical military wear the Tempest anorak from Ten C is your new best friend when it comes to dealing with the unpredictable trans-seasonal weather. Engineered from a spring-weight nylon fabric that not only posses an exceptionally soft feel but intrinsic water repellant properties, the jacket is finished with large two-way entry pockets, a number of reflective details, including the brand’s rosette logo to the sleeve, and a multi lace adjustable hood, utility garment lovers rejoice!
Stone Island Shadow Project – the sub-line of the Italian brand helmed by ACRONYM’s Errolson Hugh – never disappoint when it comes to pushing the boundaries of fabric composition and technology. Take, for instance, last season’s sell-out Scarabeo Down Jacket, with its dazzling multicoloured reflective shell. For Spring / Summer 2019, the brand goes in a more subtle, but no less impressive direction, playing with the concept of camouflage in different ways.
The Lenticular Jacquard Bomber Jacket utilises a lightweight single-layer fabric that is custom-woven in Italy with contrasting coloured threads in the warp and weft, resulting in a three-dimensional, dynamic camo pattern that changes appearance depending on the light and angle. Given the brand’s utilitarian approach, it is no surprise that this fabric is also treated with water-repellency and an anti-drop agent for supreme wearability to go with its timeless silhouette.
Once again utilising a custom-woven camouflage fabric, the Pullover DPM Chiné Jacket boasts a unique Shadow Project-designed DPM (Disruptive Pattern Material), a modern iteration of camouflage that is made to reflect bustling neon city streets rather than covert ops in a hostile environment. Equipped with stacked tunnel pockets for all your daily essentials and a toggle-adjustable hood, this is yet another modern classic from techwear genius Errolson Hugh.
Rounding out the collection is a brace of t-shirts with the brand’s signature high-tech graphics and the distinctive geometric Catch Pocket to the chest, giving any of your techwear looks a finishing touch. It’s the perfect taster of what’s yet to come for the rest of the season; keep a lock on our social media channels for more as and when it drops.
We don’t mean to be too eager but, as brands begin to tease this and unveil that we think it’s fair to say that spring is officially on its way. We know what you’re thinking it’s just been Christmas! It isn’t even 2019 yet! I can’t leave the house without 4 layers on! And you’re right but, while we’ve all been busy seeing how many mince pies we can fit in our mouths and spending far too much time in the pub, it seems the fabric masterminds over at Stone Island have been continuing in their path to textile world domination as we welcome the first snippet of the Stone Island Spring Summer ’19 range to Aphrodite.
Available now both in-store and online the latest offering features plenty of adaptable layering pieces including sweatshirts, pullover hoodies, sweatpants and some lightweight jackets to keep you warm as the weather begins to slowly transition from freezing to bearable. But, you can’t say Spring Summer 19 without some Shorts, polos and graphic print t-shirts, with a handful of excellent examples of each present and correct for when daring to show some skin to the elements, isn’t met with some serious bouts of regret.
Of course, this is no mere mortal clothing and in typical Stone Island fashion, there is plenty of technical detailing, utilitarian design and advanced treatment processes for you to get your teeth sunk into. We’re talking military specification, wind-resistant polyester nylon reps, a plethora of rich garment-dyed colours, an incredible amount of pockets, some extremely nice textured cotton and more removable compass patches than you could shake a stick at.
So what, might you ask, has got us here at Aphrodite itching to get the sun cream out early and head to the beach to enjoy an afternoon’s stroll along the coast in the depths of winter? Take a look for yourself here or come and see us in store.
Even by Stone Island’s stellar standards, Autumn/Winter ’18 has been a particularly strong season: we’ve already seen classic pieces like the David-TC parka in bold new colourways; the highly tactile, velvet-feel Lamy Flock in various forms; and the eye-popping White Tiger Camo collection. Now the sportswear maestros present this highly-limited capsule of outerwear crafted from a combination of an iridescent tela with Reflex Mat reflective sections ensuring a dazzling look whether day or night.
The iridescent tela is one of the technical fabrics that Stone Island excel at: highly resistant to weather with a unique handle and saturated colour thanks to the high-pressure dyeing process. This gold number holds a difference in that is it bonded to a rose-gold iridescent film for a subtle colour change as it catches the light, lending a pearl-like sheen to the surface. Meanwhile, the Reflex Mat fabric is yet another weather-resistant fabric that is hand-enriched with glass microspheres, lending it highly reflective properties in low light while remaining matte indirect light. This is a time-consuming and labour-intensive process, but it exemplifies the brand’s commitment to fabric innovation and quality.
The pieces themselves are beautiful in their own right: the capsule includes a gilet and a pullover, funnel-neck smock, but the standout piece is the full-fat Parka. A mid-length design that boasts a plethora of pockets, sheathes and pouches, some concealed by Velcro panels, the Parka also boasts a fully-removable (and reversible!) bomber-style liner jacket with a pile-fleece facing for exceptional warmth that can be worn as a standalone piece. The level of detailing and craft on show makes this drop a highlight of the season’s offerings – earning them the Limited Edition designation that is denoted by the special white-on-black “Champagne Piece” Compass badge.
As expected of such high-calibre pieces, each is strictly limited in number. The iridescent tela capsule will be available at Aphrodite from the 4th of October at 9 AM in-store, with any remaining stock available online from 3 pm the same day.
