The Exhibition at Holt Renfrew Explores Four Decades of Material Innovation, Open October 17-27
Stone Island has unveiled “Material Research ‘984 – ‘024,” an archival exhibition in collaboration with Holt Renfrew, running at Tudor Hall within Holt Renfrew Ogilvy in Montreal from October 17 to October 27, 2024. The exhibit celebrates more than four decades of material innovation, displaying select archival pieces that have significantly influenced fashion and subculture. As part of the exhibition, Stone Island presents five key items from Holt Renfrew’s Fall/Winter 2024 collection, each embodying the brand’s focus on fabric technology. These contemporary pieces are displayed alongside archival counterparts that inspired their design, highlighting the evolution of material innovation across five distinct themes.
One theme, Metallic, focuses on fabrics such as the Pure Metal Shell – Bronze jacket from the Autumn/Winter ‘999-’000 collection. Another, Thermo-sensitive, showcases pieces dating back to 1989, including the Ice Jacket Camouflage Thermosensitive Fabric from Autumn/Winter ‘990-’991. Stone Island Marina explores nautical-inspired fabrics with reflective jackets from the Spring/Summer ‘993 collection. The Stone Island Ghost theme examines Ventile, a weatherproof cotton canvas that has been featured in various Ghost collections. Lastly, David-TC explores a Japanese fabric that undergoes a transformation during garment-dyeing, with rare items like a jacket from the Stone Island Shadow Spring/Summer ‘004 collection, one of the few styles to feature a right-arm badge.
In keeping with Stone Island’s “Lab-Life” philosophy, which blends research, community, and product in a curated space, the exhibition includes several sections for gathering and learning. Montreal’s Café Olimpico provides a central hub for conversation, complemented by a selection of periodicals curated by Wrong Answer. The Screening Room will feature The Compass Inside, a short documentary by Jeremy Elkin that highlights Stone Island’s global community and offers an inside look at the brand’s production in Ravarino, Italy. True to Stone Island’s approach, music will play an essential role in the event, with La Rama Records of Montreal curating the selections. Each weekend will feature DJ sets from local artists, including Aram & Destiny on October 18, Somebody3lse & Icky Magdala on October 19, The LYONZ on October 25, and Ferias on October 26.
A retail section provides an exclusive shopping experience with Stone Island’s Fall/Winter assortment at Holt Renfrew. The exhibition kicks off with a private launch party featuring a menu by Chef Laurent Dagenais, accompanied by music from Kris Guilty and Gene Tellem. A public panel discussion on October 24, moderated by Justin Lortie, Co-Founder and Design Director of Wedge, will bring together Montreal creatives, including Seny Kassaye, Vincent Tsang, IAMNOTMYHISTORY, and a representative from Atelier Barda, for a conversation on design and culture.
This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to explore the craftsmanship and innovation that have defined Stone Island over the years and demonstrates how archival pieces continue to influence contemporary fashion. Open to the public, the exhibition is held on the 5th floor of Holt Renfrew Ogilvy at 1307 Sainte-Catherine Street West, Montreal. Stone Island invites both long-time fans and new members of the community to join in celebrating this significant milestone.
