THE JOURNAL
When Stone Island launched its first Ghost collection in 2011, the idea was to strip each garment back to a single colour. Noted for its innovative and functional fabrications, the Italian label would use this technical know-how to create an even tone across each item of clothing, regardless of material, design or details. Even the iconic compass badge, the calling card of every Stone Island garment, would come in a tonal palette, blending into the background, allowing function and practicality to come to the fore.
Over the past 14 years, Stone Island has continued to follow this approach with every Ghost release. New shades and fabrics have been introduced since, but the monocolour designs have never wavered. The idea is inspired by camouflage, creating a stealthy look across the collection and allowing different pieces to blend into one another. Rather than becoming inconspicuous, though, the seasonal lineups have become instantly recognisable to any Stone Island enthusiast.
This year, Stone Island is returning to one of its long running inspirations – military wear – and taking it to a new extreme. All its Ghost collections draw heavily on military-style silhouettes, including the overshirts and cargo pants that are central to the SS25 drop. Both of those items come in solid navy blue, while other designs carry the military theme in a brand-new salt flat powder grey and a pale desert sand.
The collection serves as a testament to Stone Island’s focus on boundary-pushing technical fabrics, too. This season’s key material is diagonal linen, a garment-dyed, lightweight weave that’s both structured and fluid, offering protection from the cold and breathability in the warmth. This means that the overshirt, for instance, can function as a lightweight jacket on warm days, or an extra layering piece when the temperature dips, while the cargo trousers will easily slot into your everyday trans-seasonal uniform.
Other materials blend the natural world with technological innovation, including Alcantara – a synthetic microfibre with a soft feel – and a weatherproof cotton canvas, which makes the SS25 Ghost collection ideal for dressing through unpredictable weather.
“The latest monochrome collection shows the power of minimal design to make an impact”
To launch the new lineup, Stone Island has continued its “Community as a Form of Research” project, spotlighting its fans and creatives in the new pieces. For the new release, the label has tapped Hidetoshi Nakata, a legendary Japanese footballer and businessman who, as the first Asian player to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or, unpretentiously pushed the boundaries of the beautiful game in the 1990s.
This makes him the perfect Ghost muse – the Italian brand’s latest monochrome collection shows the power of minimal design to make an impact. And those block colours and stripped-back details allow the functionality of each garment to do the talking.