Philippe Starck: The Designer of a Squeezer Meant to Start Conversations

Philippe Starck, the prolific French designer, has long been celebrated for his visionary, unconventional approach to design. Known for his sleek, futuristic style and his commitment to making design accessible, Starck’s work spans architecture, furniture, household products, and beyond. His designs, often playful yet functional, have transformed everyday objects and spaces, making high-quality design attainable for a broad audience.

Starck’s career began in the 1970s, and his work quickly caught attention due to his innovative aesthetic and his ability to turn the mundane into the extraordinary. One of his early and most iconic works was the design of the interiors for Paris’s legendary nightclub, Les Bains Douches. This marked the beginning of his reputation for creating not only objects but also immersive experiences. His designs since have shaped spaces as diverse as luxury hotels, including the Royalton and Hudson in New York, to democratic, functional pieces like his famous Juicy Salif citrus squeezer for Alessi. Starck once said that the squeezer was “not meant to squeeze lemons, but to start conversations,” reflecting his playful, thought-provoking approach.

Throughout his career, Starck has held a deep commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. Many of his projects emphasise eco-friendliness, from using recyclable materials to designing wind turbines and prefabricated eco-homes. He believes that design should improve lives and is passionate about making socially inclusive products. His work for Kartell, a major furniture manufacturer, has resulted in affordable, high-quality furniture with a distinctive flair, accessible to a broader audience.

One of Starck’s unique strengths is his refusal to be bound by the limits of traditional design. He has dabbled in creating everything from toothbrushes to yachts, consistently challenging expectations and merging beauty with utility. Starck believes that good design should be invisible, seamlessly blending with daily life while subtly enhancing it. His motto, “The duty of creativity is to make people happy,” reveals his dedication to not only aesthetics but also to the quality of human experience.

Philippe Starck’s work continues to resonate globally, making him a central figure in contemporary design. His influence reaches far beyond any single product or project, shaping a world where design is more than decoration—it’s a means of inspiring, engaging, and improving the everyday. In this way, Starck has not only redefined what design can be but also who it is for, leaving an indelible mark on modern life.