Stone Island has taken over the Selfridges Corner Shop in London with the exhibition Selected Works ‘982–’026, Stone Island: The Collector Series. It’s on view until 6 November 2026. It marks the brand’s first formal collaboration with its community of independent collectors.
From the Terraces to Madchester
Stone Island has an unusual journey from the margins to the centre of attention. English “football casuals” discovered the brand in Italy in the 80s, during European Cup matches. They brought it home as a souvenir. The compass badge has since spread across English league terraces and become a symbol of an entire subculture.
In the 90s, the band Oasis, Liam Gallagher above all, wore Stone Island as part of the “Madchester” style linking football and music. The brand only formalised that connection in 2024. It chose Gallagher as the face of its campaign, shortly after the Oasis reunion was announced.
Today the brand is worn by names across entirely different worlds. Among them are Drake, Spike Lee, former UK prime minister Keir Starmer and manager Pep Guardiola. Brand owner Carlo Rivetti once summed it up simply: “Stone Island is a religion.”
Collectors as Curators
The exhibition draws on the research and personal archives of eight independent collectors: Arco Maher, Better Gift Shop, ’bout, 194 Local, Holsales, Metallic Curtain, Pezze and SimJae. The archival pieces are for sale, with their provenance and story forming part of the exhibition itself. Highlights include the SS ‘993 reflective jacket, the ‘983–’984 Jock-23, and the thermosensitive Ice Jacket from ‘989–’990.
Temporary Architecture on Wheels
Designer Willo Perron reworked the Selfridges space, drawing on military base camps. His system consists of castor-mounted metal stands, modular shelving and tent-like structures that can be freely rearranged over the exhibition’s six-week run. Translucent, frosted windows give the space a strong presence right on Oxford Street.
A Compass from a Sailboat
Founder Massimo Osti designed the brand’s famous compass badge. He drew on his own wooden sailboat from the 60s. The first collection was made from material intended for military cargo tarps. Osti approached textiles more like an engineer than a designer. Over his career he developed more than 60,000 dye formulas. His best-known piece remains the 1991 Ice Jacket. It changed colour with temperature, thanks to microcapsules discovered in Japan.
Stone Island and Frieze
Since 2023, Stone Island has also held a multi-year partnership with Frieze. It’s the official partner of the Focus section, dedicated to galleries younger than 12 years, providing a grant covering up to 30% of their stand costs.
Where and When
Selfridges Corner Shop, London, until 6 November 2026.
