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PHILIPPE STARCK

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Video - Philippe Starck
 

Philippe Starck has been a recognised designer since the 1980s. He started his road to success in the late 1960s, when he established an inflatable furnishings company. He then worked with the inventive and experimental designer Pierre Cardin, for a short time. By the 1970s, Starck had set up his own design studio in Paris (Starck Products), building a reputation as a pioneer in the world of design. He initially concentrated on interior designs and later products.

Starck first achieved international attention by refurbishing French President François Mitterrand’s, private apartment in the Elysee Palace, in 1982. He has designed products for well-known companies such as Alessi, Kartell, Microsoft and Puma. Starck designed the interiors for night clubs (La Main Bleue 1976), hotels (Royalton 1988 and Paramount hotels 1990, in New York) and restaurants (Café Costes 1984).

 
 
 
 
Starck’s designs can be regarded as post modern, although they include elements of the Memphis design movement, pop art and surrealism, with a hint of humour, environmental awareness, not to mention, invention. His products are regularly often manufactured from materials, not normally associated with the product. A continuing feature of his designs, is that they are inspirational and regarded as ‘designer’ products, rather than focussing entirely on functionality.
 
Like many designers, Starck is an idealist and has sort to design products, that are both affordable and desirable to a mass market. Starck calls this ‘democratic design’, the aim being to improve life, for the greatest number of people.
 
A SAMPLE OF PHILIPPE STARCK PRODUCTS
 
Philippe Starck’s ‘Juicy Salif’ - Citrus Squeezer (1990) is a design classic and an iconic product. It is said that the original design was sketched on a napkin whilst Philippe was on holiday in Italy.
A piece of sculpture more than a functional object, as it does not have a base to collect the juice. This fact has not damaged it’s popularity and it is one of Starck’s most recognisable designs. The juicy Salif deserves to be the centre piece on the table, rather than storing it in a cupboard, waiting to be used.
 
 
 
 
Philippe Starck designed the Moto 6.5 motorcycle in 1995 for Aprilia. However, it did not fare as well as most of Starck’s other designs and production ceased in 1997. Nevertheless, it is a stylish design, but the variable build quality, contributed to it’s demise.
 
     
Starck designed the worlds first polycarbonate chair, the ‘La Marie Chair’ in 1998, for Kartell of Italy. A translucent and slim chair, capable of withstanding knocks and blows and yet it is stylish. A durable and affordable product, that can be regarded as a design classic.  
  Starck continued to design chairs, as seen with the Louis Ghost Arm Chair in 2001. It was designed for Kartell, and has sold over 1.5 million worldwide. A sturdy and long-lasting, transparent chair, for use inside and outside. Up to six chairs can be stacked in a column. It is another modern iconic design.
     
Starck’s computer mouse commissioned by Microsoft in 2004, is ergonomically designed, being comfortable in the right or left hand. The Teflon feet ensure that it glides effortlessly when in use.  
 
 
 
  Philippe Starck designed both the interior and exterior of Steves Job’s yacht ‘Venus’, in 2012. The yacht was built by Feadship Royal Dutch Shipyards, in the Netherlands.
Starck produced a striking design, no doubt reflecting the stylish, efficient and yet a simplistic style, of many Apple products. This is one of a number of innovative yachts designed by Starck.
 
 
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