The International Stüssy Tribe was one of the most innovative and influential initiatives in streetwear history.

When Shawn Stüssy put together a series of characters who were unknown to the general public but idolized by a small group of fans, I.S.T. was just a group of friends who made the Stüssy brand known around the world and celebrated its aesthetics and philosophy. Each member of the International Stüssy Tribe owned a personalized varsity jacket with their name embroidered on it.

Read more: A brief history of the varsity jacket

Members include the likes of Hiroshi Fujiwara, DJ and skater Jules Gayton, photographer, filmmaker and graphic artist James Lebon, Luca Benini, founder of Slam Jam and other notables.

Many people know that this elite group of unconventional characters also included the unforgettable American artist Keith Haring. Shawn made an I.S.T. varsity jacket for Haring as well of course and finished it towards the end of 1989.

Unfortunately, as we all know, Keith Haring died a few months later, in February 1990, and Shawn was not able to return to New York in time to deliver the varsity jacket that he had made especially for the writer from Reading, Pennsylvania.
“I was saddened by his passing and put the jacket in a box and forgot about it”, Stussy recalled on his Shawn Vintage showing Haring’s own varsity sold for $5,000.00.

Grey wool body, classic leather sleeves and a series of embroideries that make it unique: under the I.S.T. patch there is the personalization that defines Haring as part of the International Tribe of Stüssy section of New York City, of which Paul Mittleman and Dante Ross.

The jacket was never worn by Haring, he never owned it and in this regard Shawn Stüssy wanted to specify: “Let me make it very clear, this was never Keith’s jacket, just a feel-good gift that never made it to its destination”.