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COS X Agnes Martin collection

COS unveils collection inspired by minimalist artist Agnes Martin

To coincide with the opening of Agnes Martin's retrospective at the Guggenheim Museum in New York, fashion brand COS has created a collection based on the artist's works.

The COS x Agnes Martin capsule collection features 12 menswear and womenswear pieces inspired by Martin – a painter whose work straddled the abstract expressionist and minimalist movements.

COS X Agnes Martin collection

"Agnes Martin's use of colour, texture, material and pattern has made her an artist who has played an important role in the inspiration behind previous COS collections," COS creative director Karin Gustafsson told Dezeen.

"Martin's work and style complements COS through a shared minimal, modern and timeless aesthetic with strong attention to detail."

COS X Agnes Martin collection

Each of the pieces was inspired by elements from Martin's paintings. The design team were particularly interested in how her work often looks different depending on the viewing angle.

They applied this principle to pieces like the collection's unisex T-shirt, which features hand-stitched stripes across the body.

COS X Agnes Martin collection

"From a distance the stitches look like a simple stripe, but up close you can see and feel the different stitches and their varying positioning across the top," said Gustafsson.

The team also looked to Martin's personal style and what she would wear in her studio. This influenced the layered dresses and oversized shirts with granddad collars.

COS X Agnes Martin collection

Colour palettes are muted and fabrics – mostly linen and canvas – are natural to reflect her works.

The collection is available to purchase at the Guggenheim Museum Store – where special windows have been designed by the COS visual team – as well as selected COS stores and online.

COS X Agnes Martin collection

Martin was born in 1912 in Canada, but it was not until the age of 30 that she decided to become an artist.

Her earliest works included abstracted portraits, still lifes and landscapes.

COS X Agnes Martin collection

But having moved to New York in 1957, her work became increasingly simplified and geometric, and she is now considered to be a pivotal figure in abstract expressionism and minimalism.

COS was founded in 2007. The brand is known for its minimalist aesthetic, and its collaborations with artists and designers for small capsule collections and individual pieces.

COS X Agnes Martin collection

It previously worked alongside the Serpentine gallery to create a bag inspired by SelgasCano's 2015 pavilion and a pair of shoes to coincide with Smiljan Radić's contribution in 2014.

"Art and design play such an important part in our work," said Gustafsson. "The brand selects partnerships based on shared interests, aesthetics and ideals with collaborators."

"Alongside this COS also takes a great interest in supporting emerging studios and individuals."

For job opportunities at COS, visit their company profile on Dezeen Jobs.

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COS X Agnes Martin collection
COS X Agnes Martin collection
COS X Agnes Martin collection
COS X Agnes Martin collection
COS X Agnes Martin collection