Having participated in the design fair for the past five years, Cos returned to Salone del Mobile 2016 with a specially commissioned installation by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto.
Having participated in the design fair for the past five years, Cos returned to Salone del Mobile 2016 with a specially commissioned installation by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto. Forest of Light used towering cones of light to explore interaction, spatial awareness and innovative minimalism— concepts that reflect Cos’ vision of timeless, trans-seasonal and modern designs. Dana Koh speaks to Cos menswear and women-swear design heads, Martin Andersson and Karin Gustafsson; and Sou Fujimoto, in Milan about the immersive space and ties that bind.
How are fashion and architecture related? Karin Gustafsson: Architecture is a great source of inspiration for a fashion collection. There are several commonalities: creation of shapes, putting together of different materials, functionality and timelessness.
Sou Fujimoto: The human body is related to fashion and architecture—and constantly interacting. It’s something I wanted to address with this installation.
How important are creative collaborations today? Martin Andersson: We like to whisper rather than shout when it comes to talking to our customers. Using architecture and interior design, we create a 360-degree approach to communicate what the brand is all about and spark dialogue. We’ve admired Sou Fujimoto’s work for some time now, and we loved his structures even more after seeing his work in person, which eventually led to this collaboration.
What was your vision for this installation?
SF: I envisaged a forest of light, one where lights pulsate and constantly undergo transience of state and flow. It alters according to the interactions between light and the people that meander through this experiential space. The spotlight then becomes an interface that connects fashion, space and forest as a form of architecture.
How do you relate to the Forest of Light?
KG: When Sou explained the idea, it took some time for us to understand it. I loved the fact that he chose to create this space without any physical materials, but used lights, lines and interactivity. I like how it creates a soft, but structured illusion, and how it beckons you to explore it.
MA: The concept just evolved naturally. It’s become a kind of calming oasis away from the craziness of Salone del Mobile. You almost want to get lost in this Forest of Light—it is meditative, soothes the eyes and is poetic. It resonates with the brand—pared down, yet organic.
What gets your creative juices flowing?
KG: There are an infinite number of sources, from strong female characters in movies, to architecture; even, construction. I remember when we were in Hong Kong last year building the Andre Fu installation and spotted a pile of wooden blocks that workmen probably used for cutting. We said to each other, “How beautiful!” and took pictures of it for inspiration.
SF: I get inspired by questioning the fundamentals, the basics, and the very beginning of a subject, and then questioning again.
What do you think of Cos?
SF: It is cool and comfortable; timeless, simple but elegant. I like the integration of simplicity and the richness of complexity, be it in fabrics or details, and that sense of lightness. It inspires our architectural way of thinking.
What is luxury to you?
SF: Finding simplicity in diversity.
