Meet the Flos Icons
Behind the most iconic Flos lighting designs lies a bold spirit of innovation and a relentless commitment to pushing boundaries.
Italian lighting giant Flos has long been synonymous with groundbreaking design, merging art and technology to create lighting that transcends mere function. Since its founding in 1962, Flos has collaborated with renowned designers like Achille Castiglioni, Philippe Starck, and Patricia Urquiola, producing pieces that have become icons of modern design.
Their innovative approach and commitment to quality have made Flos lighting fixtures a staple in both residential and commercial spaces. In this article, we delve into some of the most iconic Flos lamps - masterpieces that have redefined lighting and solidified their place in the pantheon of design excellence.
Parentesi
Designed by Achille Castiglioni and Pio Manzù in 1971, Parentesi is a marvel of design and engineering. The lamp moves vertically along a cable suspended from the ceiling, tensioned by a cast-iron counterweight that hovers just above the floor.
Snoopy
Irreverent, playful and bursting with personality, the lamp’s shape and colours recall the beloved cartoon character created by Charles M. Schulz, who inspired its name.
Arco
A solid marble block supports a sweeping arc that culminates in a gentle light, offering a versatile alternative to ceiling illumination. A series of innovations that revolutionised design history, making Arco one of the most iconic – and most imitated – objects worldwide.
Gatto
One of the first experiments with the special liquid resin cocoon introduced by Arturo Eisenkeil in 1960, Gatto was the first in a series of timeless classics with ethereal allure.
Taccia
Conceived from the idea of turning a ceiling lamp upside down and made from mouth-blown glass, Taccia has become an internationally recognised symbol of Italian design.
Taraxacum 88
A modern chandelier that echoes the classic lighting effect of multiple bulbs, creating a unified and striking decorative element to light big spaces.
Luminator
With its simple tripod design and minimal presence, Luminator represents a visionary and aspirational approach to industrial design.
Viscontea
Among the first applications of the cocoon technique, the nebulous Viscontea creates a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Biagio
Carved from a single block of Carrara marble, Biagio’s smooth surface gleams in natural light and radiates warmth when lit, highlighting the unique veining of each piece.
2097
Few objects are as confident and timeless as the 2097, a modern rework of the classic Venetian chandelier aesthetic with an industrial design that uses the cables as decorative elements.
IC
Refined and dreamlike, IC Lights feature a glass sphere perched in perfect equilibrium on a slender, slanting stem to create a delicate balancing act.
Glo-Ball
Replicating the serene glow of a full moon, the Glo-Ball series owes its special feature to its simple design: a hand-blown etched glass diffuser that gives off a warm, diffused light.
Shop Flos Icons as well as the extended lighting collection online at Utility
-
![How the GUBI F300 lounge chair is made]()
Spotlight on classicsHow the GUBI F300 lounge chair is madeRead More— and why it took two years to bring back. Pierre Paulin designed the F300 for Artifort in 1965. The Museum of Modern Art acquired it within three years. It has been in their permanent collection ever since — which...
-
![Spotlight on the Carl Hansen CH24 Wishbone Chair]()
Spotlight on classicsSpotlight on the Carl Hansen CH24 Wishbone ChairRead MoreA true design icon, the CH24 Wishbone Chair has been in constant production since it was designed in 1949. Wishbone Chair (CH24) by Hans J. Wegner The Wishbone Chair is one of those pieces that most people recognise instantly, even...
