Fashion

COS' Spring 2018 Capsule Is Inspired by Abstract Art

Read our interview with creative director Karin Gustafsson to learn about her design process.

728

COS' Spring 2018 Capsule Is Inspired by Abstract Art

Read our interview with creative director Karin Gustafsson to learn about her design process.

COS has partnered with the Dia Art Foundation to support the long-term installation of Dorothea Rockburne‘s work. Rockburne is an abstract painter who employs mathematics and astronomy to create large scale pieces, a few of which have found a temporary home in the upstate New York gallery.

For COS’ Spring 2018 capsule, creative director Karin Gustafsson pulled inspiration from the artist, to craft garments with clean designs that are still airy and comfortable. In a lookbook, shot by Coco Capitán, the clothing is styled simply with a minimal background to draw the eye into the hems and curves.

We got a chance to learn more about how the capsule came to be and what it takes to develop an aesthetic. Read our interview with Gustafson below.

COS Dia Art Spring 2018 Dorothea Rockburne Lookbook

Dorothea Rockburne (COS)

What is the process like developing the aesthetic and theme of a new season of clothing?

It starts quite organically from our inspirations and ongoing research. We then gather all this to create our focuses for the upcoming season and pair these with fabrics and silhouettes that translate our vision for new collections.

How do you approach creative directing a collection editorial or campaign? Where do you pull inspiration from?

It is important to us that we combine our love of art, design and architecture with our collections but always in a very natural, cohesive way. Inspiration is always pulled from an array of places, our process is not clear-cut. The whole creative team also travels a lot, to see art and architecture in cities that inspire us, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Berlin and New York are always incredible.

What elements of Rockburne’s art did you reference to create items in the Spring/Summer 2018 collection?

We love Dorothea’s geometric paper-like folds and her use of crude oils to create abstract, painting-like works. A perfect example of this would be the beige angular dress, it truly embodies the reference to Dorothea’s work with its clean lines, natural drape folds and earthy tone.

Do you consider clothing art? Why or why not?

Art, as an umbrella term, definitely comprises fashion design as well as clothing as a means of personal expression. At COS we do not like to separate or divide any forms of art and believe that inspiration is, whether it be from design or architecture, paramount to our creative process.

What are some of your favorite pieces from the SS18 2018 line?

I particularly like the voluminous, textured jacket in off-white, the tailored wool blend dress in “Petrol” and the square-toe sandals in stone. To me, they are key and are strong representations of the collection as a whole.

Read Full Article
Text By
Share this article

What to Read Next

COS Brings Quiet Luxury to New York Fashion Week
Fashion

COS Brings Quiet Luxury to New York Fashion Week

With Amelia Gray walking the runway.

Louis Vuitton SS25 Celebrates the Art of Contradiction
Fashion

Louis Vuitton SS25 Celebrates the Art of Contradiction

One legged pants, shimmering crystals and Zendaya in the FROW – what could be better?

Japanese Footwear Label grounds Serves Its SS25 Collection on a Platter at PFW
Footwear

Japanese Footwear Label grounds Serves Its SS25 Collection on a Platter at PFW

Debuting three new versions of its signature, mega-sized outsoles.


David Koma Is Doing Things Differently – And We’re Here for It
Fashion

David Koma Is Doing Things Differently – And We’re Here for It

The London-based designer on manifesting, the real reason he skipped the runway for SS25 and his new approach to fashion ahead of taking over at Blumarine.

Watch Childish Gambino Perform "This Is America" on 'SNL'
Music

Watch Childish Gambino Perform "This Is America" on 'SNL'

Debuting the same night he hosted.

visvim Is Opening a WMV BRENTWOOD Pop-Up in Santa Monica
Fashion

visvim Is Opening a WMV BRENTWOOD Pop-Up in Santa Monica

Alongside the release of an exclusive blue denim shirt.

Watch Kendall Jenner Get Ready for the 2018 Met Gala
Fashion

Watch Kendall Jenner Get Ready for the 2018 Met Gala

With help from Off-White™’s Virgil Abloh.

adidas Originals Unveils the Nizza in New Spring Colorways
Footwear

adidas Originals Unveils the Nizza in New Spring Colorways

Arriving with sleek, white Three Stripes branding.

The Best Celebrity After-Party Looks From Met Gala 2018

The Best Celebrity After-Party Looks From Met Gala 2018

Rihanna and Bella Hadid serve encore style.

 

Looks like you’re using an ad-blocker

We charge advertisers instead of our readers. Support us by whitelisting our site.

Whitelist Us

How to Whitelist Us

screenshot
  1. Click the AdBlock icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Under “Pause on this site” click “Always”.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the AdBlock Plus icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Block ads on – This website” switch off the toggle to turn it from blue to gray.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the AdBlocker Ultimate icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Switch off the toggle to turn it from “Enabled on this site” to “Disabled on this site”.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the Ghostery icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Click on the “Ad-Blocking” button at the bottom. It will turn gray and the text above will go from “ON” to “OFF”.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the UBlock Origin icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Click on the large blue power icon at the top.
  3. When it turns gray, click the refresh icon that has appeared next to it or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the icon of the ad-blocker extension installed on your browser.You’ll usually find this icon in the upper right-hand corner of your screen. You may have more than one ad-blocker installed.
  2. Follow the instructions for disabling the ad blocker on the site you’re viewing.You may have to select a menu option or click a button.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.