Historical Information
French designer Philippe Starck was born in Paris on January 18, 1949. Starck is known for his works in interior design, consumer goods, and industrial design as well as architectural creations. It is suspected that his interest for design was influenced by his father, an aeronautical engineer. In 1969, he developed one of his first creations; the Inflatable House. This caught the eye of Pierre Cardin, a French fashion designer who gave Starck a job as an artistic director of his publishing house. His career began to excel in the early 1970’s after attending École Nissim de Camondo in Paris and designing two nightclubs La Main Bleue and Les Bains Douches in Paris. In 1979, Philippe founded Starck Product, his first industrial design company which was later renamed Ubik. Starck continued to grow his recognition in the design industry through not only interior design and home furnishings but also in several different product categories as well.
Works
Today, Philippe is most known for his design of hotels and restaurant interiors, but also works in the design of motorbikes, boats, lighting, furniture, appliances, glassware, and many other product categories. Almost all of his products are mass produced and can be found at reasonable costs for accommodating the needs of a vast demographic population. Many of Starck’s designs can be found all over the world including China, Spain, Mexico, England, Turkey, and Brazil, to name a few. Some of his well known interior designs include works for the Delano in Miami (1995), the Mondrian in Los Angeles, the Royalton and Paramount hotels in New York (1988), the St Martin's Lane in London (1999), and the Sanderson, also in London (2000).
Characteristics
Philippe’s contemporary designs are best reflected by creativity and personality. Several of his pieces are even named with personal identity such as his Rosy Angelis lamp or his La Marie Chair and Playful Prince Aha stool. Starck’s work is often referred to as an elite design, created to have its own aesthetic and spiritual identity both separable from and serving its function. Although Philippe has many fresh and original designs, some of his creations are reworks inspired by previous period pieces. Starck’s most recognizable piece, the Victoria Ghost chair, is a replication of the Louis XIV chair. Another example of this is his Dr. No Chair, a traditional club chair that resembles earlier decorative styles.
Motifs/Ornamentation
Starck’s diverse range of collections is profoundly unique due to the amount of various materials they are constructed of. Not only does Philippe create almost “anything and everything,” he creates them out of “anything and everything.” Starck designs are produced from glass, plastic aluminum, plush fabric, and many other materials. An abundance of white and clear materials such as glass give his designs particularly clean and sleek appearances. His designs do not follow a specific form, line or shape however, because he believes every design deserves a personal identity. From Starck’s iconic Bubble Chairs to his Juicy Salif citrus squeezer, one will find fun and innovative perspectives of his everyday objects and interiors.
Influence
Starck’s interesting designs subvert expectations and hold a strong influence in the design world today. His focus is to implement and promote longevity and sustainability to provide integrity, honesty, and objectivity as the core of the design process. “Products should not be created as 'throw away artifacts', only surviving for as long as they remain in fashion but should ideally have longevity and durability.” Philippe’s contribution to design has implemented quality and accessibility for consumer goods to accommodate everyone, not just the wealthy. His character in the industry demonstrates an inspiring figure across the globe.
French designer Philippe Starck was born in Paris on January 18, 1949. Starck is known for his works in interior design, consumer goods, and industrial design as well as architectural creations. It is suspected that his interest for design was influenced by his father, an aeronautical engineer. In 1969, he developed one of his first creations; the Inflatable House. This caught the eye of Pierre Cardin, a French fashion designer who gave Starck a job as an artistic director of his publishing house. His career began to excel in the early 1970’s after attending École Nissim de Camondo in Paris and designing two nightclubs La Main Bleue and Les Bains Douches in Paris. In 1979, Philippe founded Starck Product, his first industrial design company which was later renamed Ubik. Starck continued to grow his recognition in the design industry through not only interior design and home furnishings but also in several different product categories as well.
Works
Today, Philippe is most known for his design of hotels and restaurant interiors, but also works in the design of motorbikes, boats, lighting, furniture, appliances, glassware, and many other product categories. Almost all of his products are mass produced and can be found at reasonable costs for accommodating the needs of a vast demographic population. Many of Starck’s designs can be found all over the world including China, Spain, Mexico, England, Turkey, and Brazil, to name a few. Some of his well known interior designs include works for the Delano in Miami (1995), the Mondrian in Los Angeles, the Royalton and Paramount hotels in New York (1988), the St Martin's Lane in London (1999), and the Sanderson, also in London (2000).
Characteristics
Philippe’s contemporary designs are best reflected by creativity and personality. Several of his pieces are even named with personal identity such as his Rosy Angelis lamp or his La Marie Chair and Playful Prince Aha stool. Starck’s work is often referred to as an elite design, created to have its own aesthetic and spiritual identity both separable from and serving its function. Although Philippe has many fresh and original designs, some of his creations are reworks inspired by previous period pieces. Starck’s most recognizable piece, the Victoria Ghost chair, is a replication of the Louis XIV chair. Another example of this is his Dr. No Chair, a traditional club chair that resembles earlier decorative styles.
Motifs/Ornamentation
Starck’s diverse range of collections is profoundly unique due to the amount of various materials they are constructed of. Not only does Philippe create almost “anything and everything,” he creates them out of “anything and everything.” Starck designs are produced from glass, plastic aluminum, plush fabric, and many other materials. An abundance of white and clear materials such as glass give his designs particularly clean and sleek appearances. His designs do not follow a specific form, line or shape however, because he believes every design deserves a personal identity. From Starck’s iconic Bubble Chairs to his Juicy Salif citrus squeezer, one will find fun and innovative perspectives of his everyday objects and interiors.
Influence
Starck’s interesting designs subvert expectations and hold a strong influence in the design world today. His focus is to implement and promote longevity and sustainability to provide integrity, honesty, and objectivity as the core of the design process. “Products should not be created as 'throw away artifacts', only surviving for as long as they remain in fashion but should ideally have longevity and durability.” Philippe’s contribution to design has implemented quality and accessibility for consumer goods to accommodate everyone, not just the wealthy. His character in the industry demonstrates an inspiring figure across the globe.
Note: Move cursor over images to see the caption.