Past & Present: Designed by Philippe Starck

This post is  in collaboration with generous BlogTour Cologne 2013 sponsor, Axor.  Axor provides extraordinary collections for extraordinary bathroom environments.

Born and educated in Paris, Philippe Starck, pictured above in 2009 with his wife (and most certainly, muse) Jasmine, is one the 20th Century’s most lauded creative minds. An architect, interior designer, and product designer, Mr. Starck’s playful, often provocative, postmodern aesthetic is based on his belief that ‘users of the products, furnishings, and interiors he designs are self-defined actors on a stage (of life).’

The Frenchman’s breakthrough came in 1998 with his design for the offices of former French President Mitterand and his interior and furniture designs for the former Parisian café Costes. There is little Starck hasn’t designed: from household items, to lighting, bath fixtures, houses, furniture, and entire furnishing concepts for luxury apartments. Let’s take a look back at a few of his most well known pieces, and then to the present for his latest design: the Axor Starck Organic Collection.

Starck’s work first came to my attention before I had any idea I wanted to be an interior designer.  When the French designer’s La Marie Chair for Kartell debuted in 1998, the world of design and design novices alike (like me) took notice.  An ingenious combination of lightness and strength, the La Marie Chair was the world’s first completely transparent chair, formed in a single polycarbonate mould. In 1998, I was a college freshman, completely unaware that after completing my B.A. in English Lit I would attend Parsons the New School for Design and become the interior designer that I am today. But when I saw Starck’s chair I absolutely loved it, and two years later it was one of the furnishings I featured in the live/work space I designed as my submission for acceptance into Parsons.  Clearly, (pun intended), I got in!

 

 

Rolled out over a five-year period, the Louis Ghost Chair for Kartell is perhaps Phillipe Starck’s most well-known furniture design.  Almost 15 years after its debut, my husband and I have four of the Ghost Chairs in our Dining Room.  Fully transparent, stack-able,  water + weather resistant, not to mention super comfortable, we love Starck’s postmodern interpretation of the baroque Louis XV style.

Fast forward to 2013, to the Axor Starck Organic Collection: Phillippe Starck’s newest work.  ’Organic‘ is Mr. Starck’s fourth collection for the Axor luxury brand; a generous BlogTour Cologne 2013 sponsor. The minimalist, yet organic, collection of bathroom faucets, showers, and accessories combines unique design with a highly sensual water experience – at low consumption. In addition to looking and feeling good, the Axor Starck Organic Collection guarantees responsible use of the vital natural resource of water – and therefore has appeal in terms of design and as well as environmental conscience.

It looks like Phillipe Starck has designed another best-selling and beloved product. I had the opportunity of the seeing the collection at IMM Cologne earlier this month, and it is as striking to view as it is to use.

To hear more about the Axor Starck Organic Collection in Mr. Starck’s own words (with his charming French accent), a video for you:

 

 

 

 

Images / Philippe Starck / Axor Starck Organic Press Kit 2013 /