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SHADOW PROJECT - SPRING/SUMMER 09

STONE ISLAND SHADOW began as a discourse between Sportswear Company owner and creative director Carlo Rivetti and the design team of Michaela Sachenbacher and Errolson Hugh, also known as ACRONYM®. A platform for exploration, the Shadow project rapidly evolved into a system based program for a new generation of urban masculine apparel.

With both Stone Island’s incredible historical archive, and its unparalleled forward development resources as a starting point, ACRONYM@ sought to conceive a project according to their strong technical and performance based roots. The result is a unique and unprecedented fusion. A fresh and intelligent new light cast upon the timeless interplay of form and function.

Calling the project SHADOW underlines the intimate relationship and interaction between this work and the full body of the STONE ISLAND collection.

SPRING SUMMER ’09

While the first instance of Stone Island Shadow was based on the idea of INTERSTITIAL RESTART, this season is primarily concerned with META-MORPHOLOGY. The aim was both to illustrate patterns of transformation (metamorphosis), as well as to begin to define new outward shapes and forms (morphology) in the early stages of the Stone Island Shadow project’s growth and differentiation.

Particularly evident in the graphical developments of the collection, a shift in focus from the internal to the external can be seen. There is a migration from the Shadow’s physiology, or function, to its morphology, or form, as the concept and its products mature and develop. Metallic effects and distressed surface treatments of the fabrics, as well as pronounced anatomical patterning are thus employed to express this next stage in the collection’s life cycle.

THE PARSEQ GRID

Above and beyond mere seasonal collections, Stone Island Shadow is primarily a system based upon the idea of clothing as a man’s interface with, or enabler within, his environment. The PARSEQ GRID is the organizational framework upon which this idea is built.

The name PARSEQ (pronounced [pahr-sek]) is an acronym for the 5 categories of the system: PROOF, AUGMENT, RESIST, SKIN, and EQUIP. It denotes not only the syntax of the system, but also the idea of resolution into component parts (parsing from linguistics and computer science), as well as a forward looking long-term perspective (a parsec or parallax second being a unit of measurement equal to 3.26 light-years or about 30.8 trillion km).

Proven functional principals from both military and active sportswear allow the individual items in the collection to work both alone and, most effectively, synergistically together. The PARSEQ GRID is independent of seasonal and aesthetic change. This means that there is functional continuity between all STONE ISLAND SHADOW collections and items, regardless of when they were produced and/or purchased. Each item is an investment in, and an extension of, its owner’s personal system.

FABRICS

STONE ISLAND SHADOW fabrics are carefully chosen for their balance of performance technologies and the unique aesthetic treatments and values for which Stone Island has been famous since its inception.

All STONE ISLAND SHADOW fabrics work together as a part of the PARSEQ GRID, and, as such, have no attributes that hinder the functional performance of the fabric.

The fabrics are all: breathable, moisture managing (DWR and/or wicking/skin friendly), and maintainable (stable, sustainable, and easy to care for).

Some of the key fabrics and technologies for the spring summer ‘09 collection are:

GORETEX PROSHELL 3L

The culmination of decades of development, Gore-Tex® Pro Shell is the non-plus ultra of protective fabrics. Conceived to endure the harshest of mountain conditions, Pro Shell fabrics are an amazing fusion of the seemingly mutually exclusive properties of toughness and lightness.

The revolutionary Gore® Micro Grid Backer takes performance to the next level by reducing weight and bulk, and increasing abrasion resistance. Gore-Seam® Tape and GQS (Gore Quality Standard) performance tests ensure total weather protection.
_ PROOF: Hardshell fabric
_ Total waterproofness: Gore-Seam® tape and waterproof construction
_ Extremely tough, extremely breathable, durably waterproof and windproof
_ Engineered for extended and extreme conditions
_ Guaranteed to Keep You Dry®

TRYLON-R with Windstopperindstopper® 2L

Developed in conjunction with W.L. Gore and Associates and exclusive to STONE ISLAND SHADOW, Trylon-R is a marriage of classic Stone Island aesthetics and one of the most advanced performance technologies available today.

The trilobate structure of the nylon substrate gives the material its disctinctive metallic sheen, and the Windstopper® membrane provides an outstanding balance of protection and comfort management . Stone Island garment dye expertise results in styles with colours and vibrancy not found in normal performance fabrics.
_ RESIST: Lightshell fabric
_ Total windproofness: Effective protection from windchill
_ Maximum breathability: Allows moisture vapour to evaporate
_ Maximum water resistance: Sheds rain, snow, and dries quickly
_ Stone Island garment dyed

DAVID-T with Teflon® Fabric Protector

Beginning with a Japanese polyester substrate, garments in DAVID-T are sewn and then simultaneously garment dyed and treated with Teflon® Fabric Protector. During the dye process under pressure (130°C), the fabric undergoes heat-induced compression, radically transforming its hand and body.

The results are beautiful and wearable garments with a truly unique tactile experience; both industrial and luxurious at once.
_ RESIST: Lightshell fabric
_ Unique tactility
_ Water and stain repellency for ideal wearability
_ Stone Island garment dyed

Batavia-T Sheen with Teflon® Fabric Protector

Originally developed for the Stone Island main collection, this beautiful high-density gabardine is treated with Teflon® Fabric Protector.

Haptically cool and precise, the subtle matte-sheen belies the 100% cotton composition of the fabric.
_ RESIST: Lightshell fabric
_ Matte-sheen surface
_ Water and stain repellency for ideal wearability
_ Stone Island garment dyed

Batavia-T with Teflon® Fabric Protector

A classic fabric from the Stone Island archives that has been impregnated with Teflon® Fabric Protector during the garment dye process.

The garment dye and distress treatments provide an intentional contrast to the technical nature of the fabric.
_ RESIST: Lightshell fabric
_ Distressed optic
_ Water and stain repellency for ideal wearability
_ Stone Island garment dyed

P/ PROOF
Purpose: Total Weather Protection
Fabrics: Gore-Tex pro Shell 3L
Garments: Hardshell

A/ AUGMENT
Purpose: Adapt and Customize
Fabrics: David-T with Teflon® fabric protector
Garments: Modular

R/ RESIST
Purpose: Wide-Spectrum Reliance
Fabrics:
    Trylon_R with Windstopper®
    Batavia-T Sheen with Teflon® fabric protector
    Batavia-T distress with Teflon® fabric protector
    David-T with Teflon® fabric protector
Garments: Lightshell and Softshell

S/ SKIN
Purpose: Contact layer
Fabrics:
    Co / Pa Popeline
    Felpa microfibre distress
    Cotton Interlock
Garments: Non-shell

EQ/ EQUIP
Purpose: Access and support
Fabrics:
    Raso Gommato Trylon
Items: Accessories