Stone Island is the sort of fashion loved by real men who do hard, sweaty jobs. Last month, I was asked to visit Stone Island’s northern Italian HQ with a load of competition winners and the company’s sales guys. Men’s fashion isn’t all techno bears or skinny goth rent-boys; these guys were hard-drinking geezers and completely into clothes.
It was the most macho fashion event I’ve ever been to by a mile. One of the sales guys was a cage fighter, and by about 3am, after at least seven hours of non-stop lager, one of the competition winners was pissed enough to think challenging him to a fight was a good idea. He lost.
That defeated guy also asked me why I had to wear purple trousers, as though I’d let humanity down by making difficult fashion choices. For some reason, over the three days, I didn’t mention the me-being-gay thing. It’s not like I thought I’d have gotten beaten up – they were pretty sophisticated guys and probably didn’t give a shit – but if you don’t mention the gay thing right away, when exactly do you bring it up without looking like some fashion snob who thinks that mechanics from the north hate gay guys? I’m an idiot.
Anyway, unlike Burberry, who try and distance themselves from it, Stone Island’s owner Carlo Rivetti specifically told me he was proud of Stone Island’s association with football. Historically, their biggest fan base in the UK has always been northern football fans. Stone Island’s over-engineered, fancy, technology-advanced coats (that do stuff like change colour in the cold and reflect light from 500m) reinforce the hyper masculine appeal of that shoulder-mounted label. Stone Island a big deal in a world where men spend on coats like women do on bags.
While I was out getting drunk and pretending to like pussy, I interviewed the Stone Island competition winners.
Lewis Armit, 28, is a blacksmith from Edinburgh.
Vice: How did you first hear about Stone Island?
Lewis: I was 13 and in Italy on holiday with my family and saw a guy wearing it on a scooter, and Stone Island embedded itself in my brain from then on.
What did you first buy?
Back in 1996, I bought a jacket that I saved my first six weeks’ pay for and loved it like a member of my family.
Why do you like it?
It being the only label to make jackets for eccentric egomaniacs by eccentric egomaniacs.
Why it worth so much money?
Purely for the quality, and after seeing the development on fabrics, you really see the sheer work volume towards a finished piece.
How did you like your trip?
The same way Charlie liked the chocolate factory.
Craig McNeil, 35, is a London taxi driver from Hackney.
Vice: How did you first hear about Stone Island?
Craig: Seeing people wearing these different coloured jackets in and around London.
When did you first buy it?
My first piece was a burgundy jumper bought in the mid 90s.
Why do you like it?
The simplicity of the design and structure of the clothing.
Why is it worth so much money?
The developing of new technology has to be paid for somehow, and if we don’t pay for the clothes then that will be the end of the brand.
Connor McClaren, 18, is a Nissan production line worker from Sunderland.
Vice: How did you first hear about Stone Island?
Connor: I remember the first time I saw a Stone Island coat was around 2006-7 at the football. Seeing it week in, week out really got me into it. Then I started buying on eBay.
When did you first buy it? What did you buy?
Think my first bit of Stone Island was around 2007 – a hooded shimmer. I never took it off. Recently, the coats have become a lot harder to get hold of and more expensive on eBay. A lot of my coats are nearly as old as me.
Why do you like it?
It’s unique; Stone Island’s founder, Carlo Rivetti, is a genius. The reflective jackets [below] are unreal!
_
It was fun, but I really wish I’d said I was gay. Damn it.
DARYOUSH HAJ-NAJAFI
Reader Comments
January 12th, 2010
That connor dude is 18??
I’m 4 years older than him and could probably pass for his son
January 12th, 2010
this is bad, this is like saying yeah we sold out, but were ok with that and infact we kinda like it. well FUCK YOU
January 12th, 2010
im talking about you vice
January 12th, 2010
The ‘Lads’ here who wear Stone Island are more bothered about your clothes than your sexuality. Is it that they might have pre judged you having known you were gay ? Just how most people pre judge them because they have a Stone Island badge on your their sleeve.
January 12th, 2010
You know how when people spend too much time with their dogs they start using the same expressions? Do you think the same thing’s true about their wive’s vaginas?
January 12th, 2010
I didn’t realise the full monty musical was going to be this real
January 12th, 2010
um, I thought Massimo Osti founded Stone Island.
January 12th, 2010
“these guys were hard-drinking geezers and completely into clothes. ”
are you fucking kiddin me.
January 13th, 2010
I think that Connor looks really cuddly - like that James Corden from Gavin & Stacey
January 13th, 2010
I agree about Connor, I love my men fat.
January 13th, 2010
Hello connor it is Giuseppie, We met when you are over in Italia. I would much like to meet again when i come to visit the united kingdom and we can spend the night together like you promised. Miss you kisses.
Giuseppie x
January 13th, 2010
Eh, Massimo Osti founded Stone Island. And “the jacket below” is an ice jacket, not a reflective, and not made from glass beads!
January 13th, 2010
Connor, who is this Giuseppie character? You promised?
January 13th, 2010
Giuseppie, u no how it is, bit of labrusco n am all ur’s.
u cant cum see me my manfriend wont like it n hes big n hard
bigger than u my lickle guppy.
am sorry but while am home its big macho man image
x x
January 13th, 2010
Connor looks really handsome, he really suits that hat, did you get his phone number?
January 13th, 2010
Hey people Massimo worked for Carlo Rivetti didn’t he, so chill.
January 13th, 2010
i meant to say, if you did can you pass it on to me, nothing funny buddy, just fancy a couple of WKDs with him
January 13th, 2010
Keep your hands off - I spotted that cuddly Stud Muffin first.
January 13th, 2010
lolz I want to play hide the sausage with connor xx
January 13th, 2010
I have a Stone Island coat I wear all the time and I’m a 19 year old girl from the South.
January 13th, 2010
i love my man to be hard at night with a stone island jacket !!
January 13th, 2010
Gay bar only stone island wearing chavs xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
January 13th, 2010
Hard Cock ……………. Hard men
January 13th, 2010
Craig McNeil, 35, is a London taxi driver from Hackney.
KING OF THE BEARS ………….. WOW HOTTIE YAHA
January 13th, 2010
Connor looks really handsome, he really suits that hat, did you get his phone number?
YEAH ME TOO PLEASE ??? XXXXX
January 14th, 2010
Hey I’m a girl and I totally want to get it on with Craig he’s fucking sexy.
January 14th, 2010
Graig is deffo KING OF THE BEARS ….. He can hug me any time Hehe xoxox
January 14th, 2010
Baby face Connor McClaren ….
Cute faces Cute Hat Cute Baby Blue Jacket !!
Hehe Just cute
By love xoxox
January 14th, 2010
Most of the members on the forum
http://www.found-nyc.com
Are twats !!
Old men talking about shit LOSERS
January 14th, 2010
Sting’s dad used to deliver our milk.
January 14th, 2010
No I didn’t, you big fat liar. x
January 14th, 2010
I heard C.P. Company is bi-sexual, can anyone confirm?
January 15th, 2010
I love craney in long johns and a Stone island vest…SI is so sexy thats why im on Found NYC…
Pedro
xxx
January 15th, 2010
Jammin is just bitter. He is an 18 year old kid who tried to play with the big boys on found-nyc. Anyway to cut a long story short he tried to rip people off, got caught out, and now thinks we are all “Old men talking about shit”.
January 15th, 2010
once loved one man, he took my only heart
and right there in front of me, he ripped it apart
I know he didn’t mean to, and the fault is mine to blame
but the guilt and pain remains all the same
but now I understand, why he ran away
now I understand why he didn’t stay
he was afraid to love, and afraid to take a chance
he was afraid to leave and make another stance
he was afraid to make his mark on societies wall
he was afraid to take a leap, as he could fall
he would have rather stayed inside that rotting jail
he rather stay with society, even though I paid bail
he made his mind and stayed with society
even though he had his chance to be free
so now as I sit outside societies dream
I linger like a nightmare, making people scream
they say its just a phase, that I’ll get over it soon
they say its a disease, like the werewolf and the moon
but deep down in my heart, I know it isn’t so
because I have to be strong, so I can show
people like the one man who threw me in a bin
that no matter how hard they try, we will never give in!
cause what’s the point of hurting us? so we can feel bad?
so we can understand what its like to be sad?
well we already know just how it feels
cause it is so hard for us to reveal
that we like the same sex, and who really gives a damn?
goes in the end we all still go all cold and clam
so who cares if I’m gay! I am proud to be
because in my world I take it as a victory
that I can make a choice and stand from the rest
be an individual and try my best
and kids at school may laugh at me and call nasty names
but you know what? it doesn’t matter its all a game!
cause later on in life they will suddenly see
that the reason I was gay, was because it was me
so go on a call out names and raise your heads so high
but remember who I am, just before you die
remember that I was strong and managed to pull through
and remember that if I can do it, then so can you
so today I stand and say that I am proud to be gay
and if I had a choice… I’d have it no other way!
January 15th, 2010
HI dave CAN I PLAY WITH THE BIG BOYS ON FOUND NYC ??? XXXX
January 15th, 2010
http://www.found-nyc.com
Makes Me WET xxxxxxxxxxx
January 15th, 2010
Hi gay friend, as long as you wax downstairs you are more than welcome. Please remember to bring KY jelly.
January 15th, 2010
Lewis looks like a camp version of Graham Norton…..a bit. Seriously wonder about Pedro though!!
January 16th, 2010
Dave i always shave HeHe ,,, Do you wear stone island ?? i love the hard man chat xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
January 16th, 2010
There are some Hot Hot guys on Found… I pretend to have a wife, but im on Found for the hunks….
James x
January 16th, 2010
dear James, you re not telling us anything we didnt already know. can i have my penetration pants back please?
January 16th, 2010
I am a gay lord too….and I love to nudge fudge.
January 16th, 2010
Yeah i thought found-nyc.com was a ok forum.
Made so much money from all the deals i did (i would make out i had a jacket to sell do a deal with a lad ,have the money for the jacket & never send them the jacket).
I joined again under a different name & did the same.
Im now a millionare & dont work at the co-op doing security anymore.
Also just have gone into partnership with another lad whos been kicked of found headhunter.
Heres our website for more info.
http://www.wewilltakeallyourmoneyfromyou.com
or
http://www.robbingcnuts.com
January 16th, 2010
I am also a bouncer at co-op. Does anyone have a Kevlar jacket for sale?
January 16th, 2010
I love my Stone Island and also love it up the shitter!! I often have gay SI parties where men are only allowed to wear silver reflective harringtons and fukc all else. Always a good turn out from the gay lords round my way!!
January 16th, 2010
Im also a fan of the chocolate speedway track. I fukcing love it up the ar5e.
January 16th, 2010
Fuck it, this seems like the right time and place…. I’m a chutney ferret as well. I’m gay and I’m finally out!!
January 16th, 2010
Fukc it.. Im a BAre Ar5ed Boxer as well!! I love you guys\gays
January 16th, 2010
Im going to say this out loud & proud im the first one who admitted i was gay on the forum.
Think the hunks on found knew though as im really into wearing pink trainees.
I lurve pink.
I also like to buy a jacket one day & then the next day its up for sale.
The real reason behind why i buy so many jackets & then put them up for sale is i like to smell the jackets love the smell of men who have been working out extra hard.
Ohhhh them sweaty pits,im getting hard now thinking about it.
;-)
January 16th, 2010
Mavv, I thought you bought the jackets so you could post more pictures of yourself standing out your back door on your own?
January 16th, 2010
I do that too james.
Shhhhhhhhhh be quiet.
I never smile on any of my fotos do i?
Its because i love the sausage thats all i ever think about.
Sausage.pink.sausage.pink.sausage.pink.sausage.pink.sausage.pink.
Will you still love if i wearing pink trainees on my fotos i put up?
January 16th, 2010
He’s young, he’s fat, he wear a bobble hat Con-nor Con-nor
January 17th, 2010
Are any of you guys scotch?
I love you jellied up bucky drinking rough trade hoolies.
January 17th, 2010
I got my name as I like to give head, I hunt down men I can give head to. You can find me outside fulham broadway tube, selling myself so can I buy German sausages as I love the meat.
January 17th, 2010
I used to shop in TJ Hughes and still do to some extent, I like Stone Island because it makes me look hard when I support FC United. We once kicked it off with Crosby under 16’s Girls team and we nearly won. I like Everyone on Found except Neil, Ian and the rest of the Bitters, I would love to BUM James as he looks a hunk, and Pedro as he looks Easy.
Anyway got to go Ethel Austin and buy some new jeans
Love
Rouge
January 17th, 2010
PS I forgot to mention the love of my live, my dog, its a whippet. She so sexy.
January 17th, 2010
i like wearing tight jeans & buying shit cp & si jackets Thats why i sell them 3 days later :-)
January 17th, 2010
i have no friends Thats why you always see me on my own in SPW on tour !!
January 17th, 2010
Hi guys Great chat Hehe ..
Their is lots of room in the Y.M.C.A if you fancy ??
Thanks From N.R.G
January 17th, 2010
whos is the headhunter ???
Wow tell me MORE boys xxx
January 17th, 2010
Lewis Armit has a cute little gay nose
January 17th, 2010
Any yid GAYS on here ?????????? xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
January 17th, 2010
I’M GONNA TELL THE GIRLS DOWN AT THE PINK WINDMILL TO JOINT FOUND.NYC.COM
FREE YOUR MIND FREE YOUR ARSE FREE YOUR HARD COCK
January 17th, 2010
http://www.gaydar.co.uk/
Find me on here above xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
January 17th, 2010
I love sucking MARC’S CR HARD rim xxxxxxxxxx
January 17th, 2010
I think Connor woul look more sexual with a tash on his top lip.
January 17th, 2010
Hi guys … Mavv .. from http://www.found-nyc.com … Iam looking for a man in CP goggle jacket , tight jeans , slip on shoes , tight polo & a bobble hat + a nice man bag
anyone ??
Find me on
http://www.found-nyc.com
forum xxx
Thanks guys big help xxx
January 17th, 2010
oh yeah iam not 100% G.A.Y .
Just bi & looking for fun the now Please don’t tell my wife xx
January 17th, 2010
Most people I know who live in Stoke drop there anchor in pooh bay… I know i do…
Rory
January 17th, 2010
Hi all
I take it hard in the anus. I love poo on mens penis’ they looks so much more sexy. I love the feel of buttcheeks against my face. I love sniffing crack. I love the taste of spunk in my mouth. I am gay. I am proud.
January 17th, 2010
me and Moxey are known as Ben Doon and Phil Mccavity in our part of boner scootland, and so what?
January 17th, 2010
Does the celtic mafia still run FOUND,, the gooks site???
Nice site if your into the I.R.A.
January 17th, 2010
Paul Jammin will you wear your race mille while i take you with all of my 10 inches lover boy, the race mille turns me on sooo much sweet cheeks
January 18th, 2010
Get home you fat poof, ya teas ready!!
And get yer hands out of me purse!!
January 18th, 2010
I love to wear my just my anni mille miglia when dr. watson is sucking my d1ck.
Suck it slower dr. watson im trying to watch top gear.
January 18th, 2010
I LIKE GETTING FUCKED FROM MEN IN CP COMPANY MM JACKETS !X
January 18th, 2010
I’m Free xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
January 18th, 2010
Right all you robbing wanking jacket heads on http://www.found-nyc.com .
My gay and proud son paul has taking 10 G’s from my bank !!!!
He is very young & all you old farts pay me my money back NOW please !!
Email on
gaypaulsdad@ripme off.co.uk
January 18th, 2010
Moxey smells of fishy fanny !! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
thats from paul x
January 18th, 2010
Thats about right from them lot over on found-nyc.com
Poofs !!
http://www.elitecasuals.com
Place to be if your into real clobber !
cheers
RK
January 18th, 2010
Hiya boys .
iam into hard men
Graig is very sexy man xoxox
January 18th, 2010
Anyone on here got a big hammer ??????? xx
find me on
http://www.found-nyc.com
Where the girls all play x
January 18th, 2010
Craig McNeil, 35, is a London taxi driver from Hackney.
top marks xx
January 18th, 2010
Hammertime, can you hammer my back passage? I will pay you on a payment plan.
January 20th, 2010
Hiya Jammin !!
How can i forget your DEEP tight back passage HeHe , Was thinking about you today on my moped my bum was going 21mph ..
How are you HT still hitting highs of SOHO ??
xxxxxxxxxxx
January 20th, 2010
Hello boyz,
Who do you think has got the biggest lugs on the forum me or rogue?.
http://www.found-nyc.com/forums/
Please vote for rogue as hes a shit fan too.
Loads of man love sherlock.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
January 21st, 2010
S-H AS MY VOTE …
LOVELY EYES , LOVELY BUM . LOVLEY EARS
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
LOVE H-T XXXXXXXXXXX
January 22nd, 2010
found-nyc.com
are full of arseholes !!
wannabe casuals
EC
January 22nd, 2010
Forgot to mention the Jan special offer here at Elite. Join the forum now and receive a free calender featuring the hottest gay men in casual clothes.
Elitecasuals - Clothes, Football, Men, Bumming.
Hope to see you soon
xxxxx
January 22nd, 2010
monobrow
January 30th, 2010
lemomparty.org
January 30th, 2010
old fun x
March 3rd, 2010
Who’s the hardest though? CP company or Stone Island?
We love Stone Island, some nice bright jackets this season and all
March 12th, 2010
[...] the end of last year I visited Stone Island’s HQ in Modena Italy, to see the world’s most advanced jackets being made. While I [...]