Philippe Starck was born in Paris, France in 1949. He studied design and architecture at Neuilly and Paris but his first successes were as an interior designer when he was commissioned by President Francois Mitterrand to design furniture for the Elysée Palace.
He went on to design thousands of products ranging from tooth brushes, to all types of furniture, to lamps, television sets, and even toilet brushes. He was not concerned with the external form of his product; instead he focused on creating designs that appeal directly to the senses. He believes that plastic is more ecological than wood and used it in many of his products such as his stackable Dr No chair.
His ability to self-promote and his assertiveness in his dealings with companies allowed him to produce many affordable mass-market products. He has also been involved in the interior designs of the Delano Hotel in Miami and the Peninsula Restaurant in Hong Hong. He is also in high demand as a design consultant for projects such as the Eurostar lounges in London and Paris. His quantity and variety of projects have helped him leave his mark on the post-modern 1980s and 1990s.