For most people, September signals a fresh start—and Stone Island is leaning into that energy with the latest phase of its flagship project, Community as a Form of Research. The initiative, which blends cultural dialogue with fashion experimentation, once again invites a global cast of voices to explore how clothing interacts with identity, movement, and personality.
This new edition spotlights an eclectic group that reflects the brand’s international reach: Carmelo Anthony, Don Johnson, Alessandro Borghi, Chokkan, Chy Cartier, Oleksandr Usyk (who famously defended his world heavyweight title wearing a custom Stoney piece), Earl Sweatshirt, Bret Easton Ellis, Charlotte Day Wilson, Clint 419, Isaac Hale, and Nasser Ssekandi. The lineup moves fluidly between sport, cinema, literature, music, and street culture—underscoring Stone Island’s refusal to be boxed into a single scene.
The visuals stay true to the project’s pared-back aesthetic. Shot by David Sims, each participant is framed against a stark white backdrop, their individuality amplified through the garments they wear. Neutrality is key here, letting the personality of each figure take center stage. To deepen the exploration, Hans Ulrich Obrist poses a series of curated questions, turning the campaign into an exchange that blurs the lines between portraiture, performance, and research.
The first chapter spotlights Borghi, Usyk, Chy Cartier, and Chokkan, setting the tone for what feels less like a campaign and more like an ongoing conversation about how clothes live and breathe once they leave the hanger.
