Inside the revamped COS Cheongdam flagship featuring an art experience by Zion.T and more
Fashion, music and art collide.
It may only be February, but COS is wasting no time making moves. Earlier this month, the brand launched its Spring/Summer 2025 campaign, starring actor Adrien Brody. Just last week, COS celebrated the grand launch of its redesigned flagship store in Cheongdam, Seoul, where L’Officiel was invited to celebrate.
Spanning 1,402 square meters, the space — first opened in 2014 — features abundant natural light and carefully curated textures, designed with innovation and sustainability in mind. From bamboo wardrobes and vitrines by MOSO® and recycled shelving from Smile Plastics to bespoke tables crafted from papier-mâché and plywood handmade by Paper Factor and Kasthall’s hand-tufted wool rugs, custom-made from surplus production yarn, COS’ commitment to sustainability serves as an elegant backdrop for its collections.
Not one to shy away from championing its local community of artists, the store also features bespoke furniture by Seoul-based designer Subin Seoul, who’s known for merging craftsmanship with meaningful narratives. The Art Deco-inspired Hoop Chair, in particular, is a standout piece.
To further enrich the art scene, COS tapped singer-songwriter Zion.T and visual artist 275C on a month-long immersive art experience in conjunction with the grand reopening of the flagship boutique. Located on the fourth floor, the exhibition explores six key questions that revolve around the essence of inspiration, creativity and the lives of artists. The end result is a contemporary revival of salon culture.
There were a cigar artwork that references artist Edward Hopper’s diner series that evoke themes of solitude, alongside a printed wall that pays homage to The Rolling Stones and Andy Warhol. Other thought-provoking pieces include sketches and unfinished pottery that represent an artist’s ongoing creative process, the burden of choices installation that symbolise the dilemma and uncertainty of an artist and the navigation between ideals and reality.
A numbered oval table sits in front of the entrance of the event space, as the duo encourages visitors to not only engage with the artworks but also exchange ideas with those around them — encapsulating the collaborative spirit of the exhibition.
Below, a quick interview with Zion.T and 275C on their collaboration:
COS is known for its minimalist yet contemporary aesthetic. How does that align with your personal music style as well as your artistic style?
Zion.T: As you know, my music is very modern and contemporary as well. When it comes to producing music, every single element I like is carefully selected. While my music style incorporates a variety of inspirations, I like to focus on elegant and structured elements, layering them together to create my sound.
275C: As an artist, it’s interesting to see COS as a fashion brand that prioritises sustainability. That’s something I also want to incorporate into my art. Unlike COS’s minimalist aesthetic, my work is more playful and pop-inspired. However, sustainability is also a major focus for me — I’m constantly finding ways to create my art in an eco-friendly manner. I think that shared value makes our connection with COS work.
Describe COS in one word.
Zion.T: Texture. When I heard about the Cheongdam flagship store opening and visited the space, I could immediately see how texture and materials play a crucial role in the brand’s identity. I’m not sure if that’s the most important keyword for a fashion brand, but I think it is for COS, which emphasises these elements in its clothing.
As creatives, do you see fashion as a form of art?
Zion.T: Of course. Fashion is definitely a form of art. We all wear clothes every day, and they are an essential part of how we express ourselves. It’s an art form that everyone engages with daily.
275C: I agree — fashion is a form of art. As a visual artist, I use various tools to create objects and artwork. From a visual arts perspective, fashion, especially when it comes to specific brands, involves a lot of thought in pattern-making and design. In many ways, fashion is an even more complex form of art.
You’ve collaborated with music artists from GD to IU to Crush. Aside from being in the realm of art, how does collaborating with visual artist 275C differ from your other partnerships?
Zion.T: I don’t think it’s too different. I don’t see collaborations in visual arts and music as separate entities. I’ve been involved in both continuously, and 275C — who is both a friend and a coworker at his label — has worked with me before. So, this collaboration doesn’t feel too different from my other projects.
The installation at the COS Cheongdam flagship is open to public from now until March 16.
