Flos was founded in September 1962, though the company originated from earlier, in the late 50’s. At that time Dino Gavina, a nonconformist who had the idea that Italy should become the homeland of a new interior design culture, made the decision that it was time to create new lamps after meeting Arturo Eisenkeil, an inventor and small-scale producer from Merano, and created numerous pieces of furniture Italian architects such as Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Ignazio Gardella and Carlo and Tobia Scarpa. The best starting point that they decided on was the cocoon technique, which is resin sprayed onto a metal frame, which was used by Eisenkeil. The goal was to give a sense of magic to the light it emitted and not just decorate a bulb, filtering it through a nebulous-like material that was enchanting, as a result of its cloudlike quality.
Soon after, the Castiglioni brothers (who had already started making their own prototypes of their ideas) adopted the cocoon method to their own designs. Tobia Scarpa, who was spurred by Gavina after he had dragged Eisenkeil and Sergio Biliotti down the road of experimentation that was both risky yet fascinating at the same time, also took on this technique. Many other methods soon followed the cocoon technique that were surprising, even for Italy which had such close ties to old ideas of interior design. Flos (as named by Pier Giacomo Castiglioni) was cast in the position of having to provide a constant stream of object inventions, right from its prehistory. Since then, Flos has continued to attract a constant flow of the most talented designers around. Including designers such as Antonio Citterio, Piero Lissoni, Jasper Morrison, Philippe Starck and Marcel Wanders and many more.
In 1964, Flos moved from Merano to an industrial site on the outskirts of Brescia. Sergio Gandini also becomes the first managing director that Flos had. In 1968, Flos’ first retail store opened in Milan, after being designed by the Castiglioni brothers. The first catalogue and that logo were designed by Pino Tovaglia and Mas Huber. Flos opened its first subsidiary in Germany in 1971. In 1974 was the Acquisition of Arteluce, which is one of the very early starters in Italian design history. It was founded by Gino Sarfatti in 1939 and had been at the forefront of Italian lighting design for many years. Following this, Flos grew at a continual and fast rate, although organically, until 2005 until it made its second large scale acquisition in the form of 75% stake in Antares of Spain which now has become Flos Architectural. The UK distributor since January 2011 is Atrium after being a Flos dealer for over thirty years.
One of the lighting products that Flos produces is the 2097 30/50. This has chandelier-like ceiling light comes in two metals, light chrome or brass, and the lights have a candle design. The light has a modern yet, at the same time, old-fashioned appearance, fitting in with both modern and old-fashioned furnishing. This light was designed by Gino Sarfatti in 1958.
They also produce a light called the Taraxacum 88 S1/S2, designed by Achille Castglioni in 1988. This ceiling light has a circular structure and is lit up by bulbs on the surface of the light, appearing as if it has bubbles on the surface. This light would fit well in a modern furnished room and brings a calming mood to the environment.
Another light they produce is a wall light called Hide S – Hide L. This product was designed by Philippe Starck 2011 in 2011 and comes in 6 different types, ranging from plain white to a wooden material. This light is very practical as it is in the shape of a shelf, so it simulataniously provides light and gives you light and would fit in well with a modern room.
