COS (fashion brand)

COS is a fashion brand in the H&M Group,[1] which includes H&M, Other Stories, Monki, and Arket. Its name is an acronym for “Collection Of Style.”

Description

The brand retails contemporary minimalist clothing for women and men at mid-range prices.[2] The brand advertises a design ethos of pieces made to last beyond the season with a focus on craftsmanship, what of using sustainably sourced materials for its products.[3] The brand's marketing strategy has long sought to associate it with art and design.[4][5]

History

COS first opened on London's Regent Street in March 2007 with a catwalk show at the Royal Academy[6] and launched its online store in 2011. The first store in North America opened in 2014.[7][8]

As of December 2022, COS had 259 stores in 47 countries, and was selling online in over 38 countries.[9] In some countries the brand sells via franchise partners, including Alshaya Group.

References

  1. COS^
  2. Diana Budds. The Secret To COS’s Inspired Minimalism Fast Company, 22 April 2016^
  3. About Us^
  4. Hannah Marriott. The cult of Cos: Are you a disciple? The Guardian, 15 July 2014^
  5. Leah Harper. Cos creative director Karin Gustafsson: 'There's nothing unique about taking inspiration from art' The Guardian, 20 February 2019^
  6. Harriet Walker. Cos: Thoroughly modern minimalism The Independent, 11 June 2012, retrieved 12 December 2016^
  7. Matthew Schneier. At COS, No Need for a Passport The New York Times, 30 December 2014^
  8. Brooke Bobb. COS, Purveyor of Affordable Minimalism, Takes Manhattan The New York Times, 3 December 2014^
  9. H&M Group 2022 Annual and Sustainability Report^