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    GREATEST: HERITAGE REDUX

    London-based archivist Arco Maher provides an exclusive selection of vintage styles from Stone Island and C.P. Company.

    Written by Naomi Accardi Photography by Clark Franklyn ARCHIVIST: Arco Maher STYLING: Florence Arnold MAKEUP: Erin Green HAIR: Tomomi Roppongi PHOTO ASSISTANTS: Rory Cole, Rob Palmer STYLING ASSISTANT: Antoni Jankowski MODEL: Tara Halliwell All Stone Island and C.P. Company pieces courtesy of Arco Maher
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    I spent a large chunk of my childhood in a tiny town on the outskirts of Modena, a quiet city located in the flattest region of Italy; a place where Stone Island and C.P. Company were not considered statement pieces but rather casualwear, easily found in small boutiques scattered across the region. The two sister brands were born near Bologna, just a few kilometers away from where I grew up, the brainchild of a curious graphic designer with a knack for experimentation who revolutionized the fashion industry with his inventions. Overdyed garments, rubber wool and fabric manipulation were his daily bread. Like a chemist in a lab looking for the next scientific discovery, Massimo Osti created innovative, resilient clothing. Real product for real people.

    Growing up in a football family, I spent countless weekends at stadiums around the country; that’s where I first saw these brands contextualized in the world of sports. In Italy, the Ultras took after the British hooligans, using Stone Island and C.P. Company to protect themselves from the harsh conditions of winter, and to conceal themselves in the wake of their often illicit activity before, during and after each match. Then, it was the turn of rap stars. First came grime, with Skepta and his Boy Better Know crew, followed by Drake. It didn’t hurt that Supreme started to collaborate seasonally with Stone Island beginning in 2014. Even the Swoosh’s short-lived NikeLab got in on the action with a series of co-designed Windrunners. Osti’s radical creations were finally on top.

    Around this time, certain girls—myself included—started stealing jackets from their boyfriend’s closets and pairing them with tailored trousers and A-line dresses to create effortlessly casual outfits; the precursors of the GORP-girl aesthetic. Today, it’s as common to see the signature Stone Island badge adorn the arm of women, and rightfully so. Long left out of the streetwear conversation, it’s women who are pushing the style subgenre into bold new directions, bringing fresh perspectives to historic brands.

    - Naomi Accardi

    This feature originally appeared in GREATEST ISSUE 06. Discover the full magazine at select stockists.

    OUTERWEAR: C.P. Company FW02 Shearling Mille Miglia Jacket, Stone Island SS90 Camouflage Ice Jacket, Stone Island SS95 Green Multi-Pocket Parachute Jacket / TOP: Stylist’s own / BOTTOM: Stone Island SS90 Camouflage Ice Shorts   
    TOP: Stone Island FW88 Candy Pink Knit Jumper, Stone Island FW03 Apricot Orange Knit Mockneck Jumper, Stone Island FW00 Pea Green Wool Mockneck Jumper / BOTTOM: Stone Island SS92 Purple Reflective Swim Trunks    
    OUTERWEAR: Stone Island FW06 Pink Dyed Ventile Smock Jacket, Stone Island SS85 Green and Red Tela Stella Reversible Jacket / TOP: Stone Island SS88 Pink Stencil Compass Graphic Tee / FOOTWEAR: Timberland 3-Eye Boat Shoe   
    TOP: Stone Island SS92 Navy Reflective Vest / BOTTOM: Stone Island SS91 Blue Striped Marina Shorts   
    OUTERWEAR: Stone Island SS93 Blue Marina Reflective Jacket / TOP: Stone Island SS86 Red Marina Hooded Jersey, Stone Island SS88 Striped Stencil Tee / BOTTOM: Stone Island SS90 Yellow Striped Marina Swim Trunks / FOOTWEAR: Stone Island SS85 Cream Trainers   
    TOP: Stone Island FW00 Pea Green Wool Mockneck Jumper / BOTTOM: Stone Island FW84 Cream Nylon Rex Ski Salopettes