Teaming up Italian menswear brand Stone Island and sports stalwarts NikeLab just makes sense. After all, both are known for their technical engineering, utilitarian design and cult followings.

For the second consecutive year, the two design houses have pooled their resources to offer a fresh take on Nike’s apparel classic: the Windrunner. Created by the American brand’s first apparel designer, the game-changing design debuted in 1980, quickly becoming a favourite among America’s track athletes due to it’s weather resistance, comfort and lightweight construction – whilst its flexibility and bold design appealed to 1980s b-boys. 

This latest interpretation elevates the original design whilst keeping those classic touches intact (the 26-degree chevron yoke stays). Built with two breathable nylon fabrics (Hyper Light Membrana and Membrana 3L TC), both slightly different in shade, the jacket is the perfect travel companion – fold it into its left pocket and it transforms into a small pouch, complete with attachable strap.

Water and wind resistant (of course), the all-weather garment brings together the engineering and garnet dyeing techniques of Stone Island with the sportswear functionality of NikeLab to create a highly covetable update. 

Here, Stone Island Creative Director and Chairman Carlo Rivetti talks us through this latest drop’s subtle detailing and design process.

Alex James Taylor: What was the starting point when you first came together with NikeLab to collaborate on this product?
Carlo Rivetti: I think it’s a perfect mix of the DNA of the two brands because the garment, style wise, is really NikeLab, but we have used our technology in garment dyeing and in the fabric membrane. To do the garment dyeing on the membrane is very complicated because you have to have the right temperature and another problem we faced was that we changed the sizing system because we followed Nike’s sizing system. For us it was something very interesting because we learned a lot of different things, I want to stress that from a human point of view it was an unbelievable experience. My people travelled to Beavertown and met the people at NikeLab, and they came to Italy to our factory. What is interesting is that two totally different cultures can come together and find common ground when talking about product, when we talk about product the language is the same.

AJT: And how did the relationship originate?
CR: We’ve known each other for a while and finally we got the opportunity to do something together. Two years ago we started and you can understand the complexity with working with NikeLab, one of the most important multi-national companies in the world and a small individual company like ours, but again, that just proves how fantastic we worked together and got along. I was very surprised when I got the phone call from Nike saying they waned to collaborate with us, because we are not very well known in the US and so it was a fantastic surprise. Me and my people are all very proud of the finished product.

AJT: When you went to NikeLab and saw their factory and product innovation, were you surprised at the level they were working at?
CR: The things NikeLab are doing, in some ways we are very close, their approach is a little more technical than ours, as we concentrate on fabric technology, but I think they are two different approaches that blend well. In my opinion, it’s the same type of customer because men’s fashion has totally changed in the last five years and both Stone Island and NikeLab are interpreting a new way of living for the contemporary man.

AJT: Absolutely, and I imagine that the combined vision helps to create in a more astute manner.
CR: Exactly, you can recognise the two brands’ DNA within the product, and the way we both work compliments each other. So, when designing, it allows you to view the product from another angle, collaborations really help to hone your vision and expand your technics.

AJT: Did you come across any complications?
CR: Well of course, yes. Because Americans are very precise, so we talk a lot and learn a lot. Then another problem was that we had to obtain a standard of quality product, and with garment dyeing, when you change the colour the garment can react in different ways, so again we have to adapt the dyeing process, and it was something new to learn. I think the NikeLab people most appreciate in our company is our research but also the flexibility and open mindedness, I’m very proud because in my company the word impossible is cancelled.

NikeLab x Stone Island will be on sale from Thursday 8th September in Stone Island flagship stores, in NikeLab stores, on Stoneisland.com, on Stone Island App for North America and on nike.com/nikelab.