Philippe Starck is a French designer who became widely known since the start of his career in the 1980s for his work in interior, product, industrial and architectural design. He started his own company called Starck Product, which he later renamed Ubik after Philip K. Dick's novel. His work caught the attention of Jack Lang, the French minister of culture, who recommended Starck to Fran?ois Mitterrand, the president of France, to refurbish his private apartments at the èlysèe. The following year, he designed the Café Costes. Starck has been designing hotels and several restaurants for the past 30 years. He also took an interest in lighting and has designed several chandeliers.

 

LIGHTING

 

Starck's designs in chandeliers and lighting generally take a modern look and often hold elements of classical lighting. His chandeliers hold elements of classical design but also have modern twists. Starck's designs have inspired many others to design similar pieces for lighting.

 

INSPIRATION

 

Many of Starck's designs for chandeliers have been swept up by the mainstream designers and manufacturers. He favors elaborate designs for his chandeliers, incorporating shades, bead embellishments, hanging crystals and other crystal and glass embellishments. These chandeliers have been replicated or used as inspiration by many designers. The mini lamp shade idea especially has taken root and many designers now offer designs that include mini lamp shades for each light source on the chandelier. These are usually accompanied by hanging crystals and other embellishments at the top of the chandelier. His modern designs for lighting in general have also been picked up for table lights, sculpture lights and stand lights. He has many free-standing lights and portable or outdoor lights as well.

 

His designs are made to be elegant yet functional and always deliver high-quality lighting while giving the light fixture a focus in the room it's in. It becomes a talking point, but also can be in the background so that it does not dominate a room.