STONE ISLAND PROTOTYPE RESEARCH_SERIES 09 AIR-BLOWN LAMINATION ON KNIT–
The Stone Island Prototype Research_Series are limited editions by design. They feature garments in fabrics and treatments born from research and experimentation processes that have not yet been industrialized. With Prototype Research_Series 09, the brand continues to push the boundaries of fabrication with another pioneering development in garment building technology, air-blown lamination knit. For the first time in its history, Stone Island uses knitwear as the subject of Prototype Research. A pioneering application technology builds on Stone Island’s tradition of recontextualizing knitwear as outerwear.
INDEX
01 FABRIC & TREATMENT
02 LIMITED EDITION
03 EXHIBITION
04 GALLERY
01 FABRIC & TREATMENT
A hooded cardigan in reversible cotton chenille is applied with a waterproof and breathable membrane. It is bonded to the knit layer using a cutting-edge 3D lamination process: the first of its kind to be used on a garment.
The finished cardigan is placed on an inflatable mannequin which is inflated with hot air, ensuring perfect adhesion of the membrane to the knit. Due to the singularity of the process, as the membrane bonds with the knit layer, it creates unique surface irregularities.
The membrane’s extreme thinness renders the colour, texture, and construction elements of the knit highly visible, fully retaining the three-dimensional character of the chenille yarn.
02 LIMITED EDITION
Each garment in this series comes in a different colour; a total of 100 hues - 1 per garment - from vibrant to muted tones and mélange shades, were developed for this project, making each product truly unique.
03 EXHIBITION
The 100 limited edition pieces were presented at Milan Fashion Week in an experiential installation created by Ken-Tonio Yamamoto.
Inspired by the structure of circular knitting machines, the installation offers a hyper-real, experiential representation of the Prototype's creation, including inflatable elements that serve as a conceptual interpretation of the lamination process.
The industrial components, removed from their original context, are transformed into fragments in the service of uniting form and function.
