When we think of a French designer, the name Philippe Starck almost automatically comes to mind. He is recognized worldwide for his thousands of creations. Starck's originality lies in the diversity of the fields he works in, from renovating a restaurant to designing a toothbrush.
Among his latest major achievements are the design of Steve Jobs' mega-yacht,completed after his death, the design of the Freebox Revolution, and the interior design of the Lily of the Valley hotel. His inventiveness has never waned, with him churning out projects at breakneck speed.
From designer of everyday life...
Philippe Starck has had a huge influence on our everyday environment. His furniture, particularly his famous polycarbonate chairs, has enjoyed worldwide success, as have smaller items such as lemon squeezers,toothbrushes, etc. The French designer has a very specific approach to his work and wants to be able to offer high-quality items to as many people as possible, which is why the prices of his creations vary greatly.
Philippe Starck has had a huge influence on popular culture through our everyday environment, having started his career designing buildings in Japan. In tune with the issues of his time, he has adopted an ethical approach that prohibitshis agencyfrom working with arms manufacturers or tobacco brands. This is what some people criticize him for, accusing him of riding the wave of current trends such as environmentalism in order to shape his personal image and consolidate his "monopoly." In short, Starck is seen as a marketing product, a fake outsider trying tosalve his conscience.
Pope of design
He denies it, but there's no denying that the man has the image of a patriarch at the great design house. His detractors forget many of his unconventional positions, which break with the current system. One example is his internet platform project aimed at creating a global brainstorming forum for the unemployed. Closer to design, Philippe Stark is currently working on the development of new natural materials to replace plastic, a material that is destined to disappear along with fossil fuels. To get to know him better, we invite you to watch this very French TED talk:
We will never know whether Philippe Stark really plays on this image of being an outsider or whether he is simply embodying his convictions, but ultimately it matters little to us given his gargantuan body of work and his influence on the world of design.
