On a recent trip to Sydney, I got a first-look ahead of the release of London-based fashion brand COS’s new collection. Aptly coined ‘New Signatures’ and designed with the Australian and New Zealand consumer in mind, the capsule launching February 14, 2024, features a contemporary take on our most reliable wardrobe staples. With inclement weather being an inherent attribute of our environment, the garments have been designed for the transitioning seasons, ready to be layered upon or worn standalone from a day to night setting.
True to the COS ethos, the textiles are considered for their premium feel and wearability. Notable inclusions being Tencel™ Lyocell and Naia™ cellulosic acetate, a fibre that uses more sustainably sourced wood pulp. Figure-skimming crinkle satins are juxtaposed with tactile tailoring with oversized proportions, again an ideal hallmark of the Austrasian sartorial sensibility. There were mulberry silk separates, directional open-back blazers and dropped-waist trousers proving that it’s possible to pair and invest in timeless pieces while experimenting with more trend-informed styles in a modular wardrobe.
COS New Signatures collection
There was an expected palette of neutrals, albeit with a wash of buttery lights. After a long stretch of cool, crisp whites and grey-based beiges, these French vanilla tones offer an amuse-bouche of what’s to come (read: Jacquemus SS24, Alaia Fall ‘24, and The Row Fall ‘24 runways). Prints were absent, the one exception being a very chic achromatic dropped-shoulder sleeveless dress, but there was a favourable inclusion of cyan blue that played an enormous role in bringing the collection to life.
During the walkthrough with COS regional PR manager Charmaine Lowe, we fanned through the racks discussing the role of this bright, intense shade that falls within the blue-green spectrum. Demonstrating its power to carry the collection, she removed the cyan pieces from the rack, leaving the neutral pieces suspended on their hangers. Suddenly, the garments fell a little flatter as my eyes strained to appreciate the varying textures, tones, and silhouettes.
Balancing a chrome COS quilted mini bag on her right forearm and clutching the cyan garments in her left hand, Charmaine’s simple gesture single-handedly sold me on this transformative hue and even had me considering trading down my gold jewellery for the highly-reflective silver cuff which complemented the collection. That evening between courses at Felix – a French bistro and brasserie – I scanned the internet for said quilted mini bag but alas, I never found it.
How to style cyan blue
Providing a sense of freshness, energy, and clarity, employing cyan blue can breathe life into your personal style. Though we’re only just starting to see it employed in mainstream fashion, it can be used as the pièce de résistance to your outfit or eased in alongside other sources of blue (think: light washed jeans, teal trousers, and dark denim). The hue is very versatile, lending needed contrast to grey knitwear, bright white shirts, black tailoring, dark brown leather, and camel trench coats. For those more bold than I, consider going all out, making your cyan pieces the central focus for a truly memorable ensemble, starting with the COS open-back knitted dress.
Cyan blue on the runway
