Cover Karin Gustafsson, design director at Cos
Karin Gustafsson, design director at Cos
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UK-based fashion label Cos launches its Atelier collection in Southeast Asia for the first time. We sat down with design director Karin Gustafsson to find out more
Few high-street brands have managed to capture, and retain, the interest of discerning shoppers like UK fashion retailer Cos. With a design ethos of pieces made to last beyond the season—with a deep focus on fine craftsmanship using sustainably sourced materials—Cos presents a taste of luxury ready-to-wear staples that won’t break the bank.
Complementing its main collections is the seasonal Cos Atelier edit which is a cut above its usual lines, designed in-house at the Cos London atelier and enhanced by exceptional craftsmanship and even finer fabrics. The refined capsule collection is founded on contemporary fits which effortlessly carry from daytime to evening wear.
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Above Gustafsson joined Cos as an assistant director in 2006, when Cos was still merely a concept yet to be fully realised
Gustafsson joined Cos as an assistant director in 2006, when Cos was still merely a concept yet to be fully realised
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The label’s upscale line made its Southeast Asia debut this year, offering a refined men’s and women’s range tailored for the modern urbanite. Tatler Singapore had the opportunity to chat with Karin Gustafsson, design director at Cos, to learn more about the brand launching Cos Atelier in Singapore, and what goes into curating the seasonal elevated capsule collection.
What sets COS apart from other fashion brands in terms of design philosophy and aesthetics?
Since its inception in 2007, Cos has been dedicated to craftsmanship, quality, and a timeless approach to design. At our core, we believe in creating pieces that are wearable beyond the season and we continuously invest in the present to design for a better future, exploring innovative design methods and discovering new materials to enhance the collections.
As the design director, how do you ensure that Cos maintains its commitment to sustainability and innovation while staying true to its core principles?
There is a responsibility to ensure we are integrating our values into every aspect of the design process. Beyond meticulous material selection, each garment illustrates our commitment to craftsmanship and quality. Each collection is thoughtfully curated to include versatile separates that can be combined in many ways. Combining innovative design techniques with more sustainable practices enables us to uphold our core values while also pushing the boundaries of fashion.
Could you walk us through the process behind curating and developing the Cos Atelier collection?
With the Cos Atelier collection, we look to traditional couture and dressmaking techniques to reinterpret them in a way that feels current for today. We look closely at each garment from the inside out—some pieces have inbuilt corsetry or adjustable elements which ensure the perfect fit.
This season, we explored the materiality of light and have experimented with the infusion of colour through translucent materials and surfaces. Pops of red and yellow provide a bold burst of colour against a backdrop of both neutrals and brights in the collection. Perforated leather was used to create pointed ballet flats, while paper yarns were used for loose-fitting hooded dresses and jumpers.
As Cos establishes a stronger presence in regions like Singapore, how do you balance preserving the brand’s heritage with adapting to local tastes and preferences?
We still see our global community gravitating towards timeless pieces that have been reinvented in interesting or innovative ways—this could be through a modernised design style, exaggerated length, or an unexpected fabric. Our collections will continue to be inspired by contemporary culture and be centred around innovation and craftsmanship—we feel this is something that resonates wherever you are. Our versatile designs have an effortless elegance that doesn’t feel forced or overcomplicated, pieces are made to be worn and enjoyed, allowing the wearer to show their own personality through their styling.
Credits
Images: Gusto Collective
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Sabrina Low was the former assistant digital editor for Tatler Singapore.
