ROBSRACK SPOTLIGHT
Robbie is the founder of Robsrack, an online store for both archival and modern designer garments. The shop features items from Stone Island, CP Company, North Face, Polo Sport, Maharishi and many more brands. Robbie himself has amassed an extensive personal collection that features some of the most coveted items in the Stone Island catalogue. Robbie has picked out 20 items from his collection to share with us, all of which can be found on his spotlight in the Truss App. Below we ask Robbie several questions and feature some of his items for the spotlight.
HI ROB, THANKS FOR PUTTING THE COLLECTION TOGETHER. WHY THESE ITEMS, WHAT MAKES THEM SPECIAL TO YOU? DO YOU OWN THEM ALL?
Hi Woody, thanks for giving me the opportunity to share some of my favourite pieces from my collection. I’ve picked these items as all of them mean something to me for various reasons!
Some have been in my collection for years, like the late 90s Stone Island Navy Mock Neck. This was the first piece of Stone Island I bought and I have fond memories of it. I purchased this using all of my birthday money (£45 at the time on Depop) and I can still remember wearing it for the first time and feeling some sense of belonging to a particular “club”. Other pieces that I’ve acquired recently, like the S/S 2018 Stone Island Nylon Metal Spider Watro, is included as it represents the pinnacle of modern design, in my opinion. The quality of the item, the unmatched feel, and the overall construction, stood out to me, especially the 3D sprayed on webbing! Despite the Nylon Metal material being around for decades, the new iterations of the fabric still surprise me and hold up as well as the originals, if not better!
Stone Island Navy Ribbed Mock Neck Jumper, A/W 1999
Outside of Stone Island, I’ve picked items such as the circa 1998 Nike ACG Balaclava Fleece Hoodie, an item that I’ve chosen for its legendary status in the “tech wear” community. It’s rarity and outrageous design mixing a fluffy fleece outer and a balaclava hood, gives it an almost juxtaposed design. The soft, childlike teddy-bear fleece material with a “mask” normally associated with criminal activity. It gives the item a unique look, especially in this striking red colour scheme.
Nike ACG Balaclava Fleece Hoodie, A/W 1998
A possible, lesser-known item I’ve included is the Vintage Valentino Jeans M65 Camouflage Field Jacket. Notwithstanding its beautiful design and quality, I’ve included it as more of a time stamp from an era when I was just starting my collection of clothing. This item was purchased in 2017 after seeing TooHotLimited post an editorial on Instagram for their upcoming pop-up store at Harvey Nicholls, Birmingham, where this item was featured. Ollie from TooHotLimited has been a major influence and inspiration to me, first seeing his YouTube video on HighsNobiety when I was in high school, where he showcased some sought after vintage Stone Island items. To me they were jaw dropping, having never seen such radical design before! From then I have always been fixated on the presentation of the items in his collection and shop. I was lucky enough to speak to Ollie briefly at one of his pop-up stores in London which was a great pleasure!
Valentino Jeans Camoflauge M65 Field Jacket, A/W 1990s
Also, yes I own all of the pieces shown!
THE 1982 TELA STELLA SMOCK JACKET. MAYBE THE RAREST AND MOST ICONIC ITEM IN THE STONE ISLAND CATALOGUE. I ALREADY KNOW YOU OWN THE ITEM PERSONALLY, CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW YOU CAME BY IT, WERE YOU ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR IT OR DID IT FALL INTO YOUR HANDS?
It is undoubtedly my favourite piece and will likely stay that way forever due to as you said, it being arguably the most sought after piece of Stone Island and even Massimo Osti, history!
Stone Island Tela Stella Smock, A/W 1982
There’s nothing special about the purchase of this item unfortunately, it popped up on an online marketplace and I made a deal with the seller who was located in Italy. I always knew the item existed but never thought I’d own it, only seeing it in the Archivo book. It cost an arm and a leg but, it’s something I’ll treasure for the rest of my life. Having gone from dreaming of owning anything Stone Island related when I was 16 to now owning the 1982 Tela Stella Smock and even having the pleasure of meeting Lorenzo Osti whilst wearing it, gives me a sense of accomplishment and great happiness!
WHY IS STONE ISLAND SUCH A POIGNANT BRAND TO YOU, WHAT PERIOD IN THEIR HISTORY STICKS OUT TO YOU; WHETHER THAT BE SOMETHING LIKE EROLLSON HUGH’S SHADOW PROJECT OR PAUL HARVEY ERA?
Stone Island will forever be a part of my life due to the influence it’s had not only on my fashion over the years, but it’s wider effect on the opportunities it’s given me in life. It’s taken me to foreign countries, made me many great friends and most of all created a living for myself, having kickstarted my love of fashion. I still retain that same love of the brand I did years ago due to its collectibility. It’s global presence over the last 40 years in the world of fashion and design makes owning and wearing it feel like being part of a club (of sorts), with fans of the brand and Massimo Osti’s other projects, coming together to discuss and share their interests alike.
Stone Island Green Formula Steel Jacket, S/S 1995
from the Paul Harvey Era
Regarding a stand-out era of their history, I don’t think the Paul Harvey era can be overlooked. The pieces he created have such bravery in their design, for example the A/W 2002 20th Anniversary Stone Island Optic Light Dual Layer Jacket, which I’ve included in my list. A jacket designed with night safety in mind, using many Fibre Optic LED lights integrated into the front placket of the piece and around the edge of the hood, being powered by a small battery pack tucked into the internal chest pocket. Many of his pieces have functionality in mind, something that Osti had founded the brand on, which is why the shift to Harvey’s designs starting in 1996 were so seamless.
HAVE YOU STARTED VIEWING YOUR ITEMS AS MORE OF A COLLECTION, TO BE STORED IN A GLASS CABINET?
I’d say all of the items in my collection have been worn at some point, although due to the amount of clothing I own some don’t get a look in for a while! Whilst it would be nice to showcase some special items behind a cabinet or even in Perspex which I have thought of before, it would almost go against the idea of owning them.
Stone Island Optic Light, A/W 2002
Many of the items I’ve included in the list have been made through experimental research on fabrics and textiles as well as ultimately creating something functional, so it would be wrong not to utilise the research that’s gone into these special items!
WHICH PIECE MEANS THE MOST TO YOU AND WHY?
It’s a tough one! I think it’s a toss up between the 1999 Stone Island Navy Mock Neck (my first Stone Island item) and the 1982 Stone Island Smock. I would have to go with the Tela Stella Smock however, due to the presence it has in the community and the sentimentality to me, representing the cream of the crop when it comes to Massimo Osti’s history.
Like I said previously, that jacket is a marker of how far my collection has come since I was a teenager!
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO SHARE THE COLLECTION WITH TRUSS?
I was eager to share my collection with Truss as I mirror the thoughts behind the project, having one place to view archival pieces from the vast world of fashion is something many would appreciate. Being able to learn about brands you are not familiar with, as well as furthering your knowledge of brands you may already be comfortable with, is the perfect place for anyone interested, or even for those just getting started. I can’t wait to see the progress of the Truss Archive!
Stone Island Black Beanie, A/W 2012
you can find Robbie’s collection and spotlight on the Truss Archive App. Sign up for early access here.
