About Flos â–¸
Flos, founded in 1962 in Merano, Italy, is a world-renowned lighting brand synonymous with innovation, bold design and craftsmanship excellence. Recognised for its collaborations with visionary designers and its pioneering role in contemporary lighting, Flos has redefined the way light interacts with indoor and outdoor spaces. Distributed by prestigious partners such as Scandinavia Design in France, the brand combines cutting-edge technology, universal aesthetics and sustainability.Â
The origins (1960-1963): Flos was born out of the ambition of Italian entrepreneur Dino Gavina and Cesare Cassina, in collaboration with small manufacturer Eisenkeil in Merano. Their goal was to create revolutionary lighting fixtures that would transform the way people lived. In 1962, Flos adopted the ‘cocoon’ technique, an innovative resin material imported from the United States that allowed for organic and diffuse shapes. The first lamps, such as Taraxacum and Fantasma by the Castiglioni brothers and Tobia and Afra Scarpa, laid the foundations for a sculptural and functional approach. The name ‘Flos’, meaning ‘flower’ in Latin, chosen by Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, reflects the idea of poetic and living light. In 1963, Sergio Gandini took over the management of Flos, establishing a model where creativity and industrial strategy coexist.
The golden age (1963-1980): Under Sergio Gandini, Flos became a design laboratory in Brescia, where designers enjoyed total creative freedom. Icons such as Arco (1962) by Castiglioni, with its marble arch and metal shade, and Tobia Scarpa (1960), inspired by the Bauhaus, redefined lighting. Flos also innovated with technologies such as dimmers and halogen lamps. In the 1970s, the brand collaborated with emerging talents, laying the foundations for its international reputation.
Globalisation and modernity (1980-2000): Under Piero Gandini, Sergio's son, Flos embraced the diversity of contemporary design languages. The brand opened up to international designers such as Marc Newson (Helice, 1993), Jasper Morrison and Konstantin Grcic, while collaborating with creators such as Philippe Starck. Flos integrated technological advances, notably LEDs, and strengthened its communication with talents such as Jean Baptiste Mondino. When Sergio Gandini died, Flos was already a company ready to face globalisation.
The contemporary era (2000-present): Since the 2000s, Flos has consolidated its position as a world leader under the leadership of Roberta Silva (appointed CEO in 2019). In 2014, an alliance with Investindustrial marked a financial turning point, followed in 2018 by the integration into the Design Holding group, alongside Louis Poulsen and furniture brands such as B&B Italia. This structure supports global expansion, digitalisation and innovation. Flos emphasises sustainability with the ‘Flos for Planet’ initiative, which promotes the circular economy and eco-friendly materials. In 2025, during Milan Design Week, Flos will present new collections with designers such as Ronan Bouroullec and Michael Anastassiades, confirming its role as a pioneer.
Current positioning: Flos is renowned for its residential, architectural and outdoor lighting, which features in the permanent collections of museums such as MoMA. With showrooms around the world, including a space redesigned in Copenhagen by OEO Studio in 2017, Flos combines heritage and avant-garde, distributed by partners such as Scandinavia Design.
Achille (1918-2002) and Pier Giacomo (1913-1968) Castiglioni, major figures in Italian design, were at the heart of Flos's origins. Their experimental approach, combining humour, functionality and ingenuity, produced lighting fixtures that remain benchmarks to this day.
Context: The Castiglioni brothers began collaborating with Flos in 1962 to explore the cocoon technique and new lighting technologies. Their philosophy favoured simple, intuitive and playful objects, often inspired by everyday items.
Key works:
Arco (1962): An iconic floor lamp with a Carrara marble base, a steel arc and a swivel shade. Designed as an alternative to pendant lights, it provides direct light in living spaces.
Taraxacum (1960): A cocoon-shaped pendant light, reminiscent of a dandelion, which diffuses a soft, organic light.
Taccia (1962): A table lamp with an aluminium reflector and glass base, providing indirect light. Its versatility makes it a classic.
Parentesi (1971): A mobile pendant lamp system, adjustable via a steel wire, combining minimalism and flexibility.
Impact: The Castiglionis gave Flos a bold and timeless identity, and their designs remain bestsellers. Their ability to transform simple concepts into poetic objects established Flos as a laboratory for innovation.
Tobia Scarpa (born in 1935), often working in tandem with his wife Afra, brings a refined sensibility to Flos, influenced by the Bauhaus and Venetian craftsmanship.
Context: From the very beginning of Flos, Scarpa collaborated with Gavina and Eisenkeil, exploring the cocoon and traditional materials such as Murano glass. His designs favour formal clarity and functionality.
Key works:
Ariette (1973): A pendant or wall lamp made of synthetic fabric stretched over a lightweight frame, diffusing a warm, even light. Inspired by boat sails, it is both simple and sophisticated.
Foglio (1966): A wall lamp made of folded metal, evoking a sheet of paper (‘foglio’ means ‘sheet’ in Italian). Its minimalist shape and soft light make it a classic for modern interiors.
Impact: Scarpa's elegant and understated designs contributed to Flos's initial identity, laying the foundations for an accessible yet sophisticated design aesthetic.
Philippe Starck (born in 1949), an iconoclastic French designer, has been bringing his provocative and eclectic vision to Flos since the 1980s.
Context: Starck collaborates with Flos to create lighting fixtures that defy convention, combining humour, technology and storytelling. In 2022, to mark the 10th anniversary of some of his lamps, Flos is launching special editions with new finishes.
Key works:
Miss K: A colourful plastic table lamp that reinterprets the classic bedside lamp with a playful touch.
KTribe: A series of pendant and table lamps with fabric or metal shades that provide diffused, warm light.
Impact: Starck has broadened Flos' audience with accessible, expressive designs, strengthening its presence in contemporary interiors.
Michael Anastassiades (born in 1967), a Cypriot designer based in London, has been collaborating with Flos since the 2000s, bringing a minimalist and timeless aesthetic to the brand.
Context: Anastassiades favours pure forms and noble materials, creating lighting fixtures that seem to float in space. In 2025, he presented new collections at Milan Design Week, including flexible structures for ceilings.
Key works:
IC Lights (2014): A series of lamps (pendants, table lamps, wall lamps) with opal glass spheres balanced on metal rods, inspired by geometry.
Coordinates (2020): A modular system of pendant and ceiling lights, combining light tubes for architectural compositions.
Captain Flint (2015): Floor lamp with an adjustable cone, combining elegance and versatility.
Impact: Anastassiades has modernised Flos' aesthetic, with his designs prized for their sculptural simplicity and integration into architectural spaces.
Acquisition and integration into Design Holding (2018)
Flos has not acquired any other lighting brands, but its integration into Design Holding in 2018, alongside Louis Poulsen, B&B Italia and others, marks a strategic milestone.
Context: Founded by Investindustrial and the Carlyle Group, Design Holding created a high-end design hub combining lighting and furniture. This structure supports Flos' global expansion, digitalisation and innovation.
Impact: Design Holding is boosting Flos' visibility, facilitating interdisciplinary collaborations and synergies with brands such as Louis Poulsen. This enables Flos to offer integrated solutions for residential and architectural projects.
Flos has expanded its catalogue to include residential, architectural and outdoor lighting fixtures, while incorporating advanced technologies such as LEDs and connected systems.
Recent collaborations:
Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec: Pendant lights such as Aim (2013), with adjustable cables for dynamic compositions.
Konstantin Grcic: Mayday (2000), a versatile lamp exhibited at MoMA, and new collections in 2025.
Formafantasma: SuperWire, a recently launched family of modular lamps.
Innovations: Flos develops customised solutions for professionals, such as Flos Hosting, a series of events in its showrooms, and flexible projectors such as Magic Stick by Jorge Herrera. The brand incorporates energy-efficient LEDs and recyclable materials, in line with ‘Flos for Planet’.
Copenhagen showroom (2017): Redesigned by OEO Studio, this 500 m² showroom, located in a former tractor factory, showcases Flos lighting fixtures in an architectural space. A ‘Cover House’ made of Danish bricks by Petersen Tegl showcases domestic lamps, while a modular display system highlights the architectural and outdoor collections.
Impact: Flos' diverse offering, covering all segments of lighting, makes it a global benchmark. Its technological and aesthetic innovations meet the needs of architects, designers and individuals.
Scandinavia Design, founded in 2007 in Angers, is a major distributor of Flos in France and Europe, specialising in Scandinavian and European design.
Scandinavia Design offers a wide selection of Flos lighting fixtures, such as Taccia, Arco and IC Lights, alongside brands such as Fritz Hansen, Louis Poulsen and Vitra. The platform offers customisation options, expert advice and worldwide delivery.
Based in a former 15th-17th century priory, Scandinavia Design combines an appointment-only showroom, a logistics centre and a design studio. Recognised by the New York Times in 2021 as one of the best Scandinavian design websites, it guarantees competitive prices and responsive customer service.
***
Flos is a visionary force in lighting design, combining innovation, craftsmanship and universality since 1962. Its collaborations with Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Tobia Scarpa, Philippe Starck and Michael Anastassiades have produced icons such as Arco, Taccia and IC Lights, which transcend time and adorn museums and interiors around the world. Its integration into Design Holding in 2018, combined with a diversified offering covering residential, architectural and outdoor lighting, has consolidated its position as a global leader. Distributed by Scandinavia Design, which embodies the excellence of Scandinavian and European design, Flos continues to illuminate the future by drawing inspiration from its past, setting trends with a universal language.
AUTUMN SALE
20% off on selected lighting FLOS
Up to 50% off on specific stock clearance piecesÂ
SPRING
OFFER
15% OFF
on all
FLOS
until March 10
