Stone Island is taking a swing at a new category. The men’s apparel company has joined forces with Nike Golf on a jacket and crewneck built to withstand coarse weather, particularly at Northern Ireland’s Royal Portrush Golf Club, the host of the 2019 British Open.
“Knowing that the conditions during the tournament can change quickly, and can be quite challenging, we wanted to focus on outerwear,” says Kelly Tweeden, a VP and creative director at Nike. “As experts in creating product that performs as well as it looks, Stone Island was a natural partner in finding the best solutions.”
Indeed, Stone Island is known for creating textiles that are as sleek as they are durable. From parkas to hoodies, the Italian label offers wares that are intended to go along with the body’s movement, easing any constraints. And with golf being all about the mechanics of a swing, one’s attire is crucial to getting the right momentum.
For the partnership with Nike Golf, Stone Island guarantees the utmost comfort and performance capabilities. The pieces are made from a military cotton satin outer face that is bonded to a breathable, water-resistant membrane. Moreover, the fibers are adaptive, helping to lock in heat that sustain a steady temperature throughout the game.
“When we begin to think about garments, fabrics and treatments, one of the milestones that always accompanies us is the search for performance and functionality,” says Carlo Rivetti, the chairman and creative director of Stone Island. “Garment dyeing and other finishing treatments exponentially complicate the performance of the fabrics and the work of our pattern makers and tailors, so everything must be painlessly calculated. This is what makes Stone Island’s garments stand up to sports. Above all, this is why sports lovers feel Stone Island is relevant, loved and recognizable.”
Come July 18, golfer Rory McIlroy will debut and test drive the jacket and crewneck on the green at Royal Portrush for the 148th edition of the Open Championship. The collection will then be available to the masses on July 25 at Stone Island’s boutiques, online platform, and NikeLab stores.
