GOMOD :: mod picks - modern design trends and hot items

Mod Picks features interesting items and trends that can be found at GOMOD and our affilliated shops. We will publish a new Mod Picks regularly. Subscribe to the FREE GOMOD newsletter to be informed of the latest additions to our site, including updates to our Mod Picks.


July 2001

In Starck We Trust No, his name is not emblazoned across the back of U.S. currency just yet, but if this Paris-based product designer-cum-architect-cum-celebrity has his way, we may well be spending more of those greenbacks on his designs. For those that have been in a cultural vacuum for the past two decades, Philippe Starck has been at the forefront of the design world for some time now, creating everything from swanky hotel interiors at the Paramount and Royalton in Manhattan in the late 80's, to scooters for Moto, electronics for Thomson, clothing for GoodGoods, luggage for Samsonite, watches for Fossil, tableware for Alessi, the interiors of the residence at Elysée Palace in Paris for President Mitterrand of France, and yes, even pasta! He has been prolific to say the very least. Now, he seems to be following in the footsteps of American architect Michael Graves as rumors suggest that he has created a line of home products that will soon debut for hip department store chain Target. Well, Mr. Starck is certainly not one to follow in anyone's shadow so we eagerly anticipate what is certainly to be an interesting and acclaimed line for America's favorite five and dime design emporium. We certainly applaud Target's successful attempt at bringing design to the masses as well as Starck's track record of providing a mix of upscale designs for the well-to-do alongside more affordable accessories and furnishings for the likes of 7/11 Japan, Alessi, and Kartell. So what's next...designer dollars? Actually, we suspect that Mr. Starck will be quite happy with your simply spending those bills the next time you need a designer teapot, or stool, or toothbrush, or pasta... Where to find (clockwise from top right): Mr. Starck is seen above with his hands full of just a sampling of his many designs, both past and present, which are still available, or occassionally so through the following retail shops. Featured items include the Attilla Stool from the gnome series available at retromodern.com, the Joe Cactus ashtray available at Unica, and the rare 1984 Pat Connley I chair at Banal Design. retromodern.com and Unica carry many Starck items in current production while Banal Design specializes in hard to find items and those no longer in production. Suggested Reading: Philippe Starck by Taschen Retro Replay When you mention Retro Style many minds wander to a time when atomic and tropical themes were abundant and every house had great lamps, most probably topped off with an outrageous whip stitched fiberglass lampshade. Although quite common at the time, many collectors have been snatching up all the great atomic and tropical themed items for years so the picking can get mighty slim out there these days. Ever tried to find great 50's fabric or wallpaper? You can do it, perhaps, but you are limited to the patterns and amounts that you can find when you need them. Those great lampshades are "oh, so cool" but the stitching disintegrates, the fiberglass gets damaged and the frames rust. Great vintage posters and graphics have been highly collected for years and the sky-high prices reflect that. Fortunately there are a few shops out there that sell items in current production that fill the void. Here we present some of our favorite finds that will give you that Rad Retro look and you won't need to spend your next few weekends trekking through flea markets and yard sales, just to come away empty-handed. Where to find (from top left to right): We love this 1930's era print of a simpler time in L.A. from Streamlined, the grooviest splattered tri-level 50's shade from Deadly Nightshades, and the quite Fab atomic "Tinkertoys" fabric available at Melinamade. * please note that upon publication all items are available at the mentioned shops. As many featured items are vintage or one-of-a-kind they may not be available when you visit the respective sites.


Previous Mod Picks

June 2001 Wonder Wood \| Patio Culture

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