Further information about the topic Flos

In 1959 Arturo Eisenkeil 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. Flos moved from Merano to the province of Brescia in 1964: At first to Nave and then to their current premises in Bovezzo. Sergio Gandini became chairman of the company in 1965.
From the very outset, the 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 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 which has been taken over in 1974. 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, Flos 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.
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 the desire to keep the attitude to discover the most talented designers to maintain our leadership in innovation.

Flos began producing Jasper Morrison’s Glo-ball 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 Flos produces 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, Flos also produces 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.
The production will continue to be imbued with various design trends that embody their attention to leading-edge research combined with highly efficient production, sales and communications.

In 2002, forty years’ production of designer lamps was celebrated.