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FLOS HISTORY
Mr. Sergio Gandini - Flos Chairman from 1965 to 1999
FLOS was founded in 1962. The very same year we
began producing a number of lamps that were to
become classics in Italian industrial design. These
first lamps were Arco, Relemme, Toio and Taccia - all
designed by Achille and Piergiacomo Castiglioni.
As a tangible proof of their timeless design and
technical excellence, these lamps continue to be
produced today.
It all started with cocoon...
In 1959 Arturo Eisenkeil from Merano, an importer
of cocoon, a spray-on plastic coating produced
in the United States, was tracking down possible
applications for this new material. He joined forces
with Dino Gavina and Cesare Cassina and set up a
company to produce lighting fixtures. This marked
the beginning of our long-standing association in the
area of design with the Castiglioni brothers and Tobia
Scarpa. The first cocoon lamps ever created were the
offspring of this collaboration: Viscontea, Taraxacum
and Gatto by the Castiglioni brothers and Fantasma
by Scarpa.
And then...
We moved from Merano to the province of Brescia
in 1964: at first to Nave and then to our current
premises in Bovezzo. Sergio Gandini became chairman
of the company in 1965. In 1974, Flos became the
owner of Arteluce - one of the key Italian companies
in the industrial design sector. Gino Sarfatti, an
industrialist and designer, is the founder of Arteluce.
Several models designed by Sarfatti himself have been
incorporated into our product range.
Quality is given
From the very outset, our distinguishing feature
has been the high quality approach to lamp design
and production. Many of the numerous lamps
designed for Flos, first by Achille and Piergiacomo,
are undoubtedly some of the best-known and most
successful products of industrial design. They have
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won awards and historical-critical accolades, and
are included in all the most important collections and
design museums around the world. Some significant
product examples over the last forty years are:
Parentesi (1970), Brera (1992), Fucsia (1996) and
the recent Diabolo (1998). The revolutionary Parentesi
by Achille Castiglioni and Pio Manzù is a fine thread
stretched between floor and ceiling and was awarded
the compasso d'Oro in 1979.
Over the years
Prominent Italian and international names have
designed for Flos and Arteluce. Marc Newson created
the Helice aluminum floor lamp (1992). Marc Sadler's
Drop rubber wall lamp was awarded the Compasso
d'Oro in 1994 - the very same year also awarded to
Flos for its activity as a company. In 1988, we began
producing Arà, the first Philippe Starck lamp. This was
the beginning of an important working relationship
that has lasted ever since. Arà was followed, among
others, by the small colored Miss Sissi (1991) in
plastic that turned out to be a cult object and an
enormous commercial success. The following years
came Rosy Angelis (1994), the Romeo Moon (1996)
and Archimoon (1998) series.
In sync with time
Throughout the nineties the work of Achille Castiglioni
and Philippe Starck has been flanked by a series of
products from new and other designers. This reflects
our desire to keep our attitude to discover the most
talented designers to maintain our leadership in
innovation. We began producing Jasper Morrison's
Globall series in 1998, keynoted by a large opaline
sphere that can be used with various types of
supports. Kostantin Gricic is another innovative
designer and we produce two of his works: May
Day that is reinventing a versatile, multi-purpose
floor or suspension lamp, and Boxer redesigning
a characterless type with contemporary materials
and lines. Finally, we also produce Antonio Citterio's
Lastra ceiling fixture. This lamp combine advanced
lighting technology, printed circuitry and single
adjustable task lighting with a traditional accent
conjured up by the imposing crystal sheet and lamp
hanging over the dining table.
Communicating design
We have the same high quality approach to the
way we communicate through our catalogues and
graphic image, fitting, showrooms and exhibitions.
Our first catalogues were signed by Max Huber and
the logo was designed by Pino Tovaglia. Today our
communication takes advantage of the collaboration
with international talents such as Jean Baptiste
Mondino for the photography, or Ferruccio Laviani for
the design of our show room.
The new millenium
Our production will continue to be imbued with
various design trends that embody our attention to
leading-edge research combined with highly efficient
production, sales and communications. In 2002, we
celebrated forty years' production of designer lamps.
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