(Paris, 18 January 1949)
French architect and designer. He began his career with the production of inflatable furniture in 1968 and was subsequently received important work assignments. In 1974, he settled in the United States and then returned to Paris two years later. He founded the company Starck Product (1979) to market previous creations. He is particularly famous for the juicer, Juicy Salif (1991-Alessi), which has become a “cult object”. He currently lives and works in Paris. He is a professor at the Ecole Nationale des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.
His name is universally known and is a star for everyone. A child prodigy at the age of 20, he was artistic director of Pierre Cardin; at 30 he founded his first company.
His notoriety arrived in the 80s as a designer symbol of the Paris of Mitterand. His plans for the presidential apartments, Costes cafes, clubs, boutiques. The beautiful and practical Starck furniture became the new objects of desire. To be spread worldwide. From designing hotels in Miami, London, New York, Tokyo to industrial products for Alessi, Flos, Kartell, Driade, Cassina. With an ambition: to overcome the elite dimension and bring designing closer to the general public. For which he designs everything possible: from conception to packaging. No limits to inventiveness: from Panzani pasta to Puma footwear; from Aprilia motorcycles to Fossil watches; from Kronenbourg beer to the Moulin Roty teddy bear.
He is one of the most original and productive designers of the present times. He has an infinite number of awards and recognitions such as the Grand Prix National de la Création industrielle and the Honor Award of the American Institute of Architects, he describes himself as “a Japanese architect, an American set designer, a German industrial designer, a French artistic director, an Italian furniture designer”.
