Philippe Starck: the French designer whose influence is still felt on Formentera.

The world-renowned French designer and architect Phillipe Starck is a titan of creativity whose innovative designs have made him a household name. Spanning a vast range of industries, from furniture and product design to architecture and interiors, his portfolio of ingenuity is unmatched. One of the lesser-known aspects of Starck's life is his connection – over four decades - to the tiny island of Formentera, just south of Ibiza. Formentera is best known for its ice-white beaches, glistening waters, and laid-back atmosphere. The island has a rich history, with evidence of human settlement dating back to the Bronze Age. However, it wasn't until the 1960s and 1970s that Formentera became a popular destination for hippies and bohemians looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. When Starck first visited Formentera in the late 1970s, he was part of that freewheeling generation searching for beauty and meaning. He explored Formentera’s dusty caminos on a scooter and fell instantly in love with the island's rugged landscape and bohemian culture, describing it as ‘a place where you can breathe, where you feel free, where you can be yourself.’

Starck settled in Formentera in the mid-1990s and designed a house inspired by the architecture found on the island of Capri, specifically the Casa Malaparte. Built in the late 1930s on a clifftop, Casa Malaparte was created by Adalberto Libera using simple, geometric lines. Starck was inspired by the spare simplicity of Libera’s design and his own home would be an ode to that aesthetic, a nine-acre compound that appeared to grow organically from the earth itself, with red stucco walls to echo the shifting tones of the cliffs below. Formentera had a profound impact on Philippe Starck's work, influencing both his design philosophy and his aesthetic. Known for his minimalist, modernist designs, which often incorporate natural materials and organic shapes, Starck described his design philosophy as ‘democratic design,’  meaning that it should be accessible to everyone, and his connection to Formentera is evident in many of his designs, which often have a Mediterranean or bohemian spirit. His Flos Gun Lamp, which is shaped like a revolver, was inspired by the guns that were often found in the homes of hippies on Formentera. Similarly, his Louis Ghost Chair, which is made from transparent polycarbonate, was inspired by the traditional furniture found in Mediterranean homes. 

Over the years, Starck was involved in many projects on Formentera and nearby Ibiza, including hotels, restaurants, and private residences. One of his most notable projects is the Experimental Beach Club, a beachfront restaurant and lounge on the southern tip of the Ibiza at Cap d’es Falco. With minimalist, modernist aesthetic it blends seamlessly with the nature reserve surrounding it. When he sold his property five years ago, Starck said that his Formentera had been the greatest inspiration of his life. ‘Formentera is a paradise in the centre of Europe. It’s a rock, like a boat, in the middle of the sea. I don’t know anything more perfect; I don’t know anything more rare. Perhaps I never will.’