Karim Rashid was born in Cairo, Egypt in 1960. He grew up in Britain and Canada. He graduated with a degree in industrial design from Carleton University in Ottawa Canada.
Rashid worked in a studio in Milan before establishing one in Toronto. Later he moved his studio to Manhattan where he continues to work today. Extremely prolific, he believes, "the faster you work, the better the design." He has followed this maxim, creating approximately one hundred pieces every year for the past ten years. He designs everything from manhole covers to jars, shop fittings, suitcases, lamps, porcelain, chairs, sofas, and trash cans. His Garbo Can waste bin and his Oh Chair sold by the millions. He has been an effective self promoter and been extremely successful with his designs. He is known well for his retro furniture and his provocative designs.