A ubiquitous name in the world of contemporary architecture and design, Philippe Starck has created everything from hotel interiors and luxury yachts to toothbrushes and teakettles. Yet for every project in his diverse portfolio, Starck has maintained an instantly recognizable signature style: a look that is dynamic, sleek, fluid and witty.
The son of an aircraft engineer, Starck studied interior design at the École Nissim de Camondo in Paris. He started his design career in the 1970s decorating nightclubs in the city, and his reputation for spirited and original interiors earned him a commission in 1983 from French president François Mitterrand to design the private apartments of the Élysée Palace. Starck made his name internationally in 1988 with his design for the interiors of the Royalton Hotel in New York, a strikingly novel environment featuring jewel-toned carpeting and upholstery and furnishings with organically shaped cast-aluminum frames. He followed that up in 1990 with an equally impressive redesign of the Paramount Hotel in Manhattan, a project that featured over-scaled furniture as well as headboards that mimicked Old Masters paintings.
Like their designer, furniture pieces by Starck seem to enjoy attention. Designs such as the wedge-shaped J Series club chair; the sweeping molded-mahogany Costes chair; the provocative Ara table lamp; or the sinuous WW stool never fail to raise eyebrows. Other Starck pieces make winking postmodern references to historical designs. His polycarbonate Louis Ghost armchair puts a new twist on Louis XVI furniture; his Out-In chair offers a futuristic take on the classic English high-back chair. But for all his flair, Starck maintains a populist vision of design. While one of his limited-edition Prince de Fribourg et Treyer armchairs might be priced at $7,000, a plastic Starck chair for the Italian firm Kartell is available for around $250. As you will see on 1stDibs, Philippe Starck’s furniture makes a bold statement — and it can add a welcome bit of humor to even the most traditional decor.
J. série Lang armchair by Philippe Starck
By Philippe Starck
Located in PARIS, FR
The J Lang armchair by Philippe Starck designed for former Culture Minister Jack Lang is an important work of 1980s design, illustrating Starck’s ability to combine innovation, comfo...
Aluminum
Tessa Nature chair by Philippe Starck
By Philippe Starck
Located in PARIS, FR
Philippe Starck Chaise Tessa Nature, Ca. 1987 Édition Driade, Italie Bois de poirier, assise en papier tressé façon paille, logo embossé sur le dossier H. 74 x L. 47 x P. 48 cm H. 29...
Wood, Fruitwood, Plywood
Bob Dubois chair by Philippe Starck
By Philippe Starck
Located in PARIS, FR
Philippe Starck (b. 1949) Chaise Bob Dubois, Ca. 1987 Édition Driade, Italie Bois de poirier, assise en papier tressé façon paille, logo embossé sur le dossier H. 91 x L. 36 x P. 51 ...
Fruitwood, Bentwood
Jane Paille chair by Philippe Starck
By Philippe Starck
Located in PARIS, FR
Philippe Starck Chaise Jane Paille, Ca. 1987 Edition Driade, Italie Bois teinté marron foncé, assise en papier tressé façon paille H. 89 x L. 66 x P. 63 cm H. 35 1/8 x W. 26 x D. 24 ...
Wood, Plywood
Placide of the Wood chair by Philippe Starck
By Philippe Starck
Located in PARIS, FR
Philippe Starck Chaise Placide of the Wood, Ca. 1987 Édition Driade, Italie Bois de poirier, logo embossé sur le dossier H. 90 x L. 43 x P. 52 cm H. 35 3/8 x W. 16 7/8 x D. 20 1/2 in...
Wood, Bentwood
Anna Rustica chairs by Philippe Starck
By Philippe Starck
Located in PARIS, FR
Philippe Starck (b. 1949) Chaise Dick Deck, Ca. 1987 Edition Driade, Italie Bois laqué vert H. 89 x L. 34 x P. 61 cm H. 35 1/8 x W. 13 3/8 x D. 24 1/8 in. Philippe Starck has always...
Bentwood
Neoneoz Armchair in Acajou Finish by Philippe Starck for Driade
By Driade, Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Neoneoz chair, created by renowned designer Philippe Starck for Driade, embodies the perfect balance between innovation and tradition. This chair is an authentic expression of ti...
Leather, Fabric, Wood, Ash
"King Costes" Armchair by P. Stark for Driade
By Philippe Starck, Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"King Costes" is an iconic armchair, designed by Philippe Starck and manufactured by Driade, featuring a polished aluminum structure and curved plywood striped wenge or bamboo finished shell. Polyurethane foams padded seat with black or light colored leather fixed cover. Indoor use only. DIMENSIONS: D. 22", W. 19.8", H. 31.8", Seat H. 18.5" Philippe Starck revisits Costes easy chair project with King Costes armchair, changing its size and statics, while confirming its image as a recognizable piece of design, untouched by passing fads. PHILIPPE STARCK is an internationally acclaimed French creator, designer and architect. His profound comprehension of contemporary mutations, his determination to change the world, his anticipatory concern for environmental implications, his love of ideas, his desire to defend the intelligence of usefulness and the usefulness of intelligence have accompanied one iconic creation after the other. From everyday products such as furniture and lemon squeezers to revolutionary mega-yachts, individual windmills, electric bikes...
Aluminum
Armchair Baleri Italia Richard III design Philippe Starck
By Baleri Italia, Philippe Starck
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Baleri Italy Model: Richard III Armchair Design: Philippe Starck, 1985 Richard III is a highly symbolic armchair that reinterprets the essence of bourgeois décor through a co...
Leather, Plastic
Paire de chaises Costes par Philippe Starck pour Driade
By Driade, Philippe Starck
Located in Rouen, FR
Paire de chaises “Costes” dessinées par Philippe Starck en 1984 pour le célèbre café Costes à Paris, puis éditées par Driade. Ce modèle devenu iconique incarne le tournant du design...
Oak
Philippe Starck Passion Armchair For Cassina
By Philippe Starck
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Philippe Starck Passion Armchair For Cassina Designed by Philippe Starck, the Passion design chair embodies Cassina’s commitment to innovation and ability to blend stylistic elegan...
Fabric
King Costes Armchair by Philippe Starck for Driade, 1992
By Philippe Starck, Driade
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Reinterpretation of the Costes armchair, King Costes modifies its size and static nature, confirming the absolute recognizability of the image and the ability of some products to las...
Aluminum
