COS swings into spring with its design-driven collection
COS continues its design manifesto of accessibly distinctive fashion for both men and women for spring/summer 2008. Subtly progressive; COS zeroes in on a modernist clean-lined silhouette that chimes with current fashion sentiment. Crucial to COS’ burgeoning fashion stance is its commitment to both design and affordability, where meticulously produced garments are anything but skyrocket in price.
For spring/summer COS men’s and women’s wear give a nod of recognition to the archly crisp, almost stay-press, clean lines of the 50s and 60s. Glorious couture-like volume acts as a foil to all of this linear strictness.
In womenswear dresses maintain a proud presence. They also answer all manner of dress dilemmas: from a knock ’em dead sharp black strapless cocktail number and an easy-cool crisp cotton shirting sundress to a softly sophisticated voluminous frock where excess fabric cleverly collapses around the body.
Volume too informs menswear’s fashion medley in the form of baggy chinos, oversized hoodies and generous parkas that taper towards the hem to avoid any tent-like visions. The counter to this roomy style statement is figure-tracing knife-sharp tailoring but with a twist, involving a play on proportions: jackets are cropped to the hip, trousers hit the ankle and fine gauge jersey sits long on the body. It’s about combination dressing where a slouchy hoodie sits with a city-slick blazer. Of course, classic sartorial two-pieces are very much in evidence.
Womenswear too, speaks to a broad church audience in its pendulum-like array of silhouettes. Contrast is key; when a dress is sexily figure-skimming and slim it stops demurely below the knee, while a fun and flirty thigh-grazing frock swings loose around the body in a trend-nailing trapeze shape. Women’s suits are just as prolific: from a power broking acutely cut trouser suit to a more playful bell-like A-line skirt and softly cut blouse.
COS’ colour palette stretches from signature crisp white, soft sandy neutrals, powdery blushes and Mod-ish pastels (sun-faded coral; melon yellow and pale mint) through to dramatic darks (oil slick purple, midnight navy, tobacco brown and black). By breaking colour rules (pairing black with flesh tones or pastels with flashy brights) COS determines its own fashion voice. Plus clever textural finishes (washed, waxed, and tightly woven surfaces as well as super-blown-up prints) add to COS’ individualist edge.
COS is the urban fashion haven for the design appreciative who don’t want to pay over the odds for fashion. COS maintains this democratic philosophy in mixing fashion-alert, high-end design with ground-level pricing. For Further information please contact Karla Otto Ltd Tel: + 44 207 287 9890 cos@karlaotto.com _________________________________________________________ COS launched on London’s Regent Street in March this year. COS is a part of the H&M group. COS compliments H&M in sharing the same business concept – ‘fashion and quality at the best price’ – only COS prices start where H&M’s finish. The increased price level allows COS to deliver product with a higher quality. COS has a wide product range that is divided into a number of different concepts, incorporating fashion essentials, reinvented classics and the latest trends for men and women. COS is predominantly created by an in-house team of designers and buyers. COS has eight stores in four countries (Great Britain, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium). This autumn COS stores are due to open in Copenhagen, Antwerp and a second store in Berlin, bringing the total number of stores to 11. For more information and to download pictures visit: www.cosstores.com