FOR THE NEW RETAIL IDENTITY. A NEW CONCEPT TO HOST THE BRAND’S COMMUNITIES.

For its 40th anniversary Stone Island partners with OMA/AMO to revolutionize its stores’ ID to create points of references, hubs for its communities, spaces transcending transactional activities designed to experience the wealth of the brand research and experimentation on design and product manipulation, to share experiences and interact with its fans. The new store concept by OMA/AMO features altar-like spaces highlighting Stone Island’s devotion to technology and development, shared by its followers. Niches for archival pieces and prototypes – results of years of experimentation in Stone Island’s lab in their Ravarino headquarters – showcase past thinking and future ambitions about product design. Beyond shop opening hours, the space will host public presentations, salons, workshops, and private events. The stores form a base for current and new customers, complementing the brand’s online presence. Stone Island’s approach in transforming materials from typical into unique inspires and informs the new stores’ design by OMA/AMO. The stone-like palette of the spaces is formed with specially treated off-the-shelf materials – without actual concrete or stone. Shredded paper and resins are compressed under high pressure to become durable “concrete panels”. Cork – the central material to the Stone Island stores – is burnt, sandblasted and coated, turning dark and textured, while maintaining its sound-absorbing, humidity-controlling features. Corrugated steel panels, sand-coated, acquire a soft surface. A large digital chandelier, suspended from the ceiling, broadcasts Stone Island’s culture to its community. The new concept debuts within a new, 180-square meter retail space for Stone Island in Chicago – the brand’s first in the city – which opens on Thursday, October 20, 2022 ahead of the future opening of locations in Seoul, Munich and Stockholm. Stone Island Creative Director and President Carlo Rivetti: “Stone Island and OMA/AMO share values of innovation, functionality, and passion. I am very happy to begin this important partnership, a new visual approach for our stores, to speak to our communities.” AMO Director Samir Bantal: “Research and innovation are at the core of Stone Island. The space, materiality, and program of the stores underpin the brand’s ethos, and reinforce a sense of belonging of its community of like-minded people.” The project is designed by Samir Bantal, with Natalie Konopelski, Giulio Margheri and Mateusz Kiercz.

STONE ISLAND CHICAGO
48 East Oak Street
60611 Chicago, Illinois

Photo by Marco Cappelletti, courtesy of Stone Island and OMA/AMO