Since its founding in 1982, Stone Island has stood as the vanguard of material innovation. Stone Island’s story began with a single, unusual fabric, a heavy, tarpaulin-like cloth that founder Massimo Osti transformed in something wearable. That one act of experimentation would set the tone for everything that followed. Guided by the brand’s mantra “Research. Form. Function.”, Stone Island has created an empire.
Over four decades of research, the Italian-based brand has cultivated what can be described as modern alchemy, fabrics that change colour under heat, textiles with memory, materials that resist elements. All experiments, whether dyed, coated or constructed, adds to the language shaped by Stone Island. Under Material Science, the label has opened up to the world, offering insight into the craft, chemistry, and controlled chaos that shape every garment.
The Art of Corrosion
The second chapter of this initiative, Edition 002: Corrosion Treatment, is a way of transformation. Stone Island has an extensive arsenal of techniques, the corrosion treatment stands as one of the most recognizable. Developed through years of experimenting, including early iterations seen in the Spring/Summer 2017 Hand Corrosion On Raso series, the treatments involves the use of corrosive agents to partially strip the dye from the garment’s surface.
Traditional corrosion techniques were best suited for natural fibres like cotton, materials that respond predictably to chemical agents. Stone Island’s research team wanted to go to the next level, to apply the same process to synthetic textiles, known for their resistance to both dye and manipulation. The team devloped specifically formulated dyes and a carefully balanced corrosive solution.
AW ‘025-026’ The Nylon Reps-TC Corrosion Treatment
At the centre of Material Science Edition 002 sits the 025-026’ The Nylon Reps-TC Corrosion Treatment Jacket, constructed from ultra-tightly woven nylon reps, the garments starts it life as pure white, with its inner layer resin-coated for wind and water protection. From there on out, it undergoes a garment-dyeing process using Stone Island’s special formulas, embedding colour deep into the fibres. Once dyed, the garment becomes a canvas for the corrosion treatment. Skilled technicians apply a corrosive solution by hand, using brushwork and spray to special gradient. Finished off with a multi-axial quilting, PrimaLoft® padding and the white Stone Island badge, the jacket is a statement of Stone Island’s advanced engineering.
