Nike and Stone Island have recently co-created a new jacket and crew neck for golfers, developed with adaptive fibres and military specification materials.
Golf’s fourth and final major of the 2019 season was contested on Northern Ireland’s most challenging 18 holes last weekend. Defined by its rolling sand dunes and coastal views, the links course has hosted major tournaments for more than 100 years. Participants, even in July, face cool temperatures and bursts of rain — an environment that requires sympathetic garments.
“Knowing that the conditions during the tournament can change quickly, and can be quite challenging, we wanted to focus on outerwear," says Kelly Tweeden, VP and creative director for Nike Golf, Nike Tennis and Nike Skateboarding.
“As experts in creating product that performs as well as it looks, Stone Island was a natural partner in finding the best solutions.”
The Nike x Stone Island golf collaboration starts with Nike’s understanding of golfers. Each of the two pieces — a jacket and crew neck — is built on a pattern that optimises range of motion through a swing and incorporates golf-specific utility pockets for balls, tees and gloves.
“Golf particularly fascinates me, because it is a precision game in which concentration and power play a fundamental role on athletic gesture and on performance,” says Carlo Rivetti, creative director and chairman of Stone Island.
“Working on garments with Nike Golf gave us the opportunity to create true technical and performing pieces. It is the first time for Stone Island on the field of play, in one of the most noble sports in the world.”
To create the jacket, a military specification cotton satin outer face is bonded to a breathable, weather-resistant membrane. What's more, adaptive fibres increase breathability and act to lock in warmth, helping maintain optimal temperature throughout play.
“When we begin to think about garments, fabrics and treatments, one of the milestones that always accompanies us is the search for performance and functionality," says Rivetti. "Garment dyeing and other finishing treatments exponentially complicate the performance of the fabrics and the work of our pattern makers and tailors, so everything must be painlessly calculated."
“The Nike x Stone Island collaboration is a perfect combination of style and performance. As an athlete, it’s important that my apparel can comfortably handle the conditions of any course at any time. This collection will allow me to be prepared for the unpredictable climate of Northern Ireland but also sport a look that appeals to my personal style," adds Rory McIllroy, who tested the Nike x Stone Island golf jacket and crew.
The garments debuted during the tournament that took place between the 18-21 July 2019.
Two colourways of the jacket (grey and blue) and three of the crew neck (grey, blue and yellow) will be released globally on 25 July.
