Blueprint: What will you be showing in Milan this year?
Philippe Starck: Some of my creations will be presented at the Milan fair with companies such as Cassina, Kartell, Dedon and Magis. Mostly pieces of furniture. It shall include sofas, chairs, armchairs; the concept stems from surrealist poetry, to create a shelter from our schizophrenic society. With Flos at Euroluce, I will have 4 lights which utilise the latest technology. With Baccarat, you will see a real merging of tradition, history and hi-tech and finally, I’m also mounting an exhibition with Sant’Agostino at the Triennale di Milano, about the magic of what human intelligence can do with mud. Each presentation has its own scenography.
BP: How many times have you been at the Salone so far?
PS: I have never counted but I would say at least 20 years – I am not a numbers man. I’ve always had the same approach though: to come and introduce my new creations and stay for as little time as possible, in order to go back to a remote place where I can continue to day-dream and create.
BP: What do you get out of the experience of being there?
PS: To me, the Milan fair is more a place dedicated to present a year, or even a decade of work and creation. It is only the tip of the iceberg. My partners and editors are handling this key moment of the year.
BP: What is the Milan Salone useful for, do you think?
PS: It is still THE place where good design is displayed.
BP: Who or what are you looking forward to seeing in Milan?
PS: I am not the best example of a genuine Milan visitor: I just help my editors to introduce the work, the creations we developed together for years, sometimes decades.
BP: How do you find the city, what do you like to do there?
PS: I’ve never been interested in cities, buildings; I am always focusing on the people. I love the people from Milan as I share their sense of passion. The only extra treat I allow myself when in Milan, is to go and have dinner at Al Girarrosto. I love this family-run place and I feel like at home there. I’ve been going there for more than 20 years every year.
BP: Where will you be hanging out after hours?
PS: At my hotel with my wife and little girl.
BP: What’s special about Milan Salone, as opposed to the plethora of other design expositions around the world?
PS: I never go to any other design salon besides Milan.
To read more Milan tips in the ‘Il Mio Milano’ series, from top designers such as Luke Pearson, Jake Dyson, Jaime Hayon and many more, please see our current print issue Blueprint #326
