London-based COS by the H&M Group is monochrome no more. Championing creativity, positivity and imagination, the fashion retailer, which typically designs its apparel in safe neutral tones, chooses joy and optimism this season with a light spray of colour.
Inspired by dynamic cities around the world, the Autumn/Winter 2022 collection is aptly themed City Spirit with elevated grunge-inspired looks, structured tailoring, slouchy silhouettes and interesting layers.
Expect plenty of rich textures, graphic knits, corduroy coordinates, and gender-neutral set pieces — many of which are timely reinventions of classic 70s looks. And where there is colour, there’s a light spattering of it, in bright and bold hues, like fuchsia and lime green, as well as fun nature-inspired prints.
The elevated collection was presented at COS’ debut show at New York Fashion Week last month. Delivering the perfect wardrobe foundations for the season and beyond, occasion wear pieces were also introduced for the first time. More importantly, over 92% of the collection is made of sustainably sourced or upcycled materials. For example, there is a matching skirt and top which uses 100% recycled sequins.
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To tie in with the launch of the new collection, COS has also refreshed its flagship store at Ion Orchard with a sleek modern minimalist design. Greeted with a large, curved exterior, the floor-to-ceiling windows offer a generous glimpse into the open concept space. Soft clay cladding extended across the façade brings a touch of warmth and tactility to the overall dialogue. When in-store, customers can expect to find lofty, curated rooms that showcase the collections with an editorial focus.
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True to the DNA of all its other sister brands under the H&M Group, COS is placing sustainability at the forefront of its values with the updated store design. Within the 518 sqm space, there is a considerable effort from the team to reduce, reuse and regenerate – 69% of the aggregate materials utilised are either upcycled existing fixtures or sourced using sustainable or environment-friendly material.
As we understand it, other COS outlets are also scheduled to undergo a transformation, and every outlet will bear its own unique design, including the tables and furniture used for visual merchandising. For example, the burnt orange clay treatment of this store facade will be unique to the ION flagship.
Petra Lerch, COS Asia Pacific Managing Director, says, “In sharing a new look for this store, we are also showcasing an ever-evolving brand that puts its sustainability values at the forefront. This important physical touchpoint is a great way for our customers to connect with the world of COS and we’re excited to welcome them back!”
