Authentication Process

How to spot a fake Stone Island

Whether your wardrobe is brimming with Stone Island pieces collected over the years or you are looking to buy your first piece, you will inevitably have asked yourself the question on everyone's mind: is it authentic?

We are being asked to authenticate items more than ever. As Stone Island grew in popularity around the world, the brand caught the attention of counterfeiters, who flooded the market with replicas. The first counterfeits were easy to spot (flat badges, misshapen compasses), but their quality has improved and today it is harder than ever to spot a fake. A simple rule to start with: if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. For everything else, follow this step-by-step guide.

Step 1: the Certilogo check

What is Certilogo?

Certilogo is an authenticity verification service connected to the databases of many luxury brands. It is the benchmark for authentication: it checks your code directly against Stone Island's database.

How to use it

If your Stone Island item has a Certilogo label, open your phone's camera and point it at the QR code. A tab opens on the Certilogo website, which guides you through a few questions before giving its verdict.

You will first be asked whether you are checking before or after purchase: select “After” if you have the item in hand. You will then be asked where you found it: in a shop, online, or — for a pre-owned purchase — select “It's a gift” instead, as platforms such as Vinted, eBay or Depop are not on the list of recognised retailers. Finally, you will upload a photo of the label and get an instant result.

Interpreting the Certilogo result

“Authentic”: the item is almost certainly genuine. Almost — because new batches of counterfeits, produced with the same copied code, have been known to scan as authentic at first, before the system detects the overuse of the code. Hence the importance of the other checks below.

“Anomalies”: the item may be fake, or its Certilogo has simply been scanned by too many people. This is why you should ALWAYS hide your Certilogo when selling an item online, and only share the code with the final buyer.

“Fake”: the journey ends here. We have never come across an authentic item that scanned as fake.

Do all Stone Island items have a Certilogo?

No. Stone Island introduced Certilogo in spring-summer 2014 to fight counterfeiting. Earlier pieces do not have one — that is normal. The article number on the care label tells you: in short, all numbers starting with “60” and above should have a Certilogo.

If your piece dates from after 2014 and there is no Certilogo, be wary. Some sellers remove the Certilogos from authentic items, but whatever story you are told, a removed Certilogo often hides something — and even on a genuine item, its absence destroys the resale value. We recommend avoiding these purchases.

Step 2: other authentication methods

Some items (produced before 2014) cannot be verified via Certilogo. And even with an “Authentic” Certilogo, these additional checks guarantee you a peaceful night's sleep.

The article number

Every Stone Island model carries an 8- to 9-digit code, identical whatever the colour or size. Example: an authentic Membrana jacket carries Art: 581540223. Search for this number on Google: the images you find should match the model of your piece (the colour may differ, the model never). It is an excellent way to spot a fake — but not proof of authenticity on its own.

The “Lamy Stampato” inner label

This inner label is extremely popular… on fake jackets. The only authentic “Lamy cover stampato” piece is the Supreme x Stone Island collaboration with the floral print. If this wording appears on any other piece, it is a major red flag.

The “Baumwol” trap

On vintage pieces, notably the famous corduroy shirts, check the spelling on the care label: counterfeits write “Baunwol” instead of “Baumwol” (cotton in German). A small mistake that a luxury brand would never make.

222… too many twos

The infamous article number ending in 222 (example: 571540222): 99.9% of Stone Island jackets online with a number ending in 222 are counterfeits. Some authentic pieces (Soft Shell in particular) end in 22, but never in 222.

The devil is in the stitching

Stone Island has mastered stitching to perfection: every stitch is straight and neat. Care labels are often attached with a double row of interlocking stitching (interlock), used since the 90s, which counterfeits never reproduce correctly. Messy stitch lines around the label are a red flag.

The care label and colour transfer

A connoisseur's detail: on authentic items, the article label often takes on a slight tint of the garment, because it is sewn in before the finished piece is dyed (garment dyeing). A slightly pinkish label on a pink piece, slightly bluish on a blue piece: that is a good sign. Stone Island also regularly updates the design of its labels to thwart counterfeiters.

The compass badge

The first element counterfeiters scrutinise — and their first weak point: dense, even embroidery, firmly sewn fastening buttons, exact colours. We have devoted a full article to its history and variations: the Stone Island logo through the eras.

If in doubt: buy authenticated

You are now able to authenticate your Stone Island piece and spot the warning signs. And if in doubt, the simplest option is still to buy from a transparent seller: at NB08, every piece is authenticated by our experts — Certilogo, labels, badge, stitching — before it is put up for sale. Discover our Stone Island selection, new and pre-owned, with complete confidence. Looking for another brand's guide? You will find them in the Authentication menu: C.P. Company, Moncler, Parajumpers, Golden Goose and Drôle de Monsieur.