Cos creates a series of nature-inspired AR filters with Russian creative Harry Nuriev

London-based fashion brand Cos has moved into creating digital artworks in a new campaign, made in collaboration with Russian creative Harry Nuriev. An original series of digital artworks, available as a series of four AR face filters on Instagram, the pieces reference natural elements, a prominent theme in Nuriev’s practice, in combination with the colour palette selected for Cos’ AW20 collection.

The founder of Crosby Studios, Nuriev’s creative work is recognised for its ability to span “a broad range of typologies,” as the studio describes. Whether that’s in public spaces, retail stores, product design or fashion and art collaborations like this one, each piece of the studio’s is “informed by the aesthetics of contemporary consumer culture.” Following work with the likes of The New York Times, Nike and Hypebeast, this collaboration sees Nuriev’s eye for detail merge with Cos’ beloved minimal and modernist aesthetic.

Building on both the brand and Nuriev’s love of nature, each AR face filter represents and transforms a natural element. “I think a lot about nature and the environment, and this project is an invitation to join me in these thoughts,” writes the creative in the caption launching these “AR masks” on Crosby Studios’ Instagram. “These masks – flora, rain, clouds and waterfall – are not just cool looking, but also meaningful for me as a visual representation of my environmental values.”

Within this launch video, Harry additionally talks through each mask while wearing it, taking viewers through his inspirations and the feeling each filter evokes. Rain for instance, where droplets of water cling to the user’s face, is a symbol of his love for rainy days, saying how “Rain for me is just like the sun for other people.” Clouds on the other hand present “not just a softness of this world but, you know, a little confusion – but in a good way,” and Falls, which presents a waterfall, is portrayed as “endless, unstoppable, strong, powerful and beautiful,” describes Nuriev. The artist’s favourite is Flora, where growing leaves take over the head of the person wearing the filter.

The launch of these four filters accompanies Cos’ larger New Perspectives campaign in which Nuriev joins five further “Russian change makers from the world of fashion, art and contemporary culture who have collaborated with Cos on the launch of its Russian online store,” explains the brand.

The Instagram filters are available to try out for yourself via Cos Stores’ account here.