he origins of the Company Flos was founded in 1962 in Merano, to produce modern lighting. To develop new lighting concepts, they enlisted the aid of Achille Castiglioni, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni and Tobia Scarpa. One of the first materials they experimented with was cocoon, a very pliable material made in the USA. In 1964 Sergio Gandini joined the company, and the headquarters were moved to a new site near Brescia. The first Flos retail store, designed by the Castiglioni brothers (Achille and Pier Giacomo), opened in Milan in 1968. Pino Tovaglia designed the logo, and Max Huber the catalogues. Growth and evolution of the Company In 1971 Flos opened its first subsidiary in Germany. In 1974 it purchased Arteluce, a historical brand founded in 1939 by Gino Sarfatti, and opened a new factory in Bovezzo, just outside the city of Brescia. The collaboration with Achille Castiglioni continued through the '80s, and in 1992 he introduced the "family of products" concept to the market with the Brera series. At the same time, Flos continued to scout for emerging talent at an international level. In 1988 the Company started collaborating with Philippe Starck. Other talented designers followed thereafter: Jasper Morrison, Konstantin Grcic, Marc Newson, Antonio Citterio, Marcello Ziliani, Marcel Wanders, Sebastian Wrong, Laurene Leon Boym, Piero Lissoni, Rodolfo Dordoni, Tim Derhaag, Johanna Grawunder, Joris Laarman, Knud Holscher, Barber & Osgerby, Patricia Urquiola, Paul Cocksedge and Ron Gilad. During the '90S the Company expanded its contract-related presence, launching a division focused on turnkey solutions. Piero Gandini, Sergio's son, has been Flos President and C.E.O. ever since 1999. The tradition of collaborating with highly-talented professionals also extends to Flos promotional activities. Its image and advertising campaigns are entrusted to famous international photographers like Jean-Baptiste Mondino.