Philippe Starck
當一身輕便的Philippe Starck走進會議室，眼前這位像個大男孩的鬼才設計師徹底顛覆了我對他的極端想像。以為他會像所有設計師一身極簡非黑即白配上雅痞休閒鞋，漫不經心以高雅昂首闊步的姿態現身；卻穿著像個鄰居大叔，輕鬆自在毫不造作，以紙杯裝著咖啡背光而坐；以為他將天花亂墜咬文嚼字，卻首先為自己的憋腳英文道歉。我不是Starck迷，卻也知道幾款他的經典設計；就在接獲邀請參加這場座談會前幾天，在市中心逛街時還對身旁友人說了：「看看那柳橙榨汁器，多美哪。」
從小在父親工作環境（飛機製造商）耳濡目染下，Philippe對於高科技、設計以及機具操作手法有豐富的觀察與體驗。從報章雜誌、媒體報導都可以知道Philippe設計範圍涉略多且廣，從一支牙刷、一張椅子，到空間設計、甚至建築設計，為什麼這位設計師擁有這麼多知識，舉手投足創作皆如鬼斧神工？
「讓生活簡單。」Philippe這麼說。以減法哲學過生活，永遠追尋極簡法則，那麼事物本質則自然呈現。當本質躍上眼前便可以清楚透析重點與事物輪廓，如果再以謙虛的胸懷加以詮釋則可達到他心目中最高的境界：優雅。
他以同樣的態度思考設計、獲得靈感；從單純的動機出發，最好的辦法就是淨空腦袋才有辦法開拓不同視野。在一張大的、乾淨的、空無一物的桌上打開一張空白的草稿紙，由創作概念開始奇想，引發成為一個計劃，最後才有產品出現。這樣的視野並不是一開始就能擁有，設計師在生命中隨著年歲增長以及探索的經驗則有助於開創不同高低的眼界。
不過簡單並不表示隨便，當一切從簡之後，細節構造與比例就顯得十分重要。
訪談中，Philippe總是強調小我與大我之間的互動關係。「當我們誠實面對自己，才會察覺自己的渺小；以這個渺小的個體替人類大眾提供服務時，才擁有存在的價值。」他強調，設計師並非萬能，無法創造奇蹟拯救生命，不過卻可以讓生命與生活更加美好；同時這也是他對自己的期許。
When Philippe Starck, who dressed casually as a big boy walked into the meeting room, this genius designer completely subverted my impression of him. I thought I would see a man put on a head to toe black-look as other designers and in one pair of expensive casual shoes; walking unconcernedly into the room with chin up and chest out. However, he was just like a man who lives beside my house and acted not pretentious. I thought he would be fancy and quibble in talking; however, he apologized firstly for his English.
Although I am not a diehard fan of Philippe, I know some of his worldwide popular designs. Just some days before I received the invitation to join his presentation, I showed my friend and told him, “look at this juice machine, how pretty it is.” during our shopping in the downtown.
He learns all experiences and knowledge from his father who worked for an Aircraft Manufacturer. From all reports, we know that Philippe involves all kinds of design widely; from a toothbrush, a chair, even interior design or architectural design. How come Philippe Starck knows so many things that we need to learn for an entire life?
“Live in a simple life,” he told us. He always looks for a fundamental way, either in his private life or design. “then, you see the essence of everything.” When you see the essence, then you understand also the focal point. He tries to give explanatory notes to his design with humble
to reach his highest goal, elegance.
He thinks about his design and inspiration in the same way; the best way to create is to empty your mind. Set a piece of paper in a large, clean, empty table, start with a concept, develop a project and then produce a product. However, his view was not comprehensive than now; “day by day, we grow not only our age but also a wider field of vision. ” Philippe told us.
However, make it simple does not mean to take it unceremoniously. When everything is so simple, then every detail becomes very important.
During our conversation, Philippe always emphasized that the interaction between the Community and himself. “When we face ourselves honestly, we see how small we are. We only exist when we give service to the community.” He emphasized that a designer is not a God or a doctor; designers cannot save lives. However, designers can make life better. This is also an expectation to himself.
座談會是由Philippe最新的合作設計，來自巴西的涼鞋品牌所舉辦。
「我從來不因為設計品的價值高低來評斷設計好壞；相對的，我檢視的角度是這個產品是否可以替更多的人帶來更好的生活。」Philippe表示，圍繞著赤道一圈居住的人都需要涼鞋，那麼他替社群（大我）提供服務的第一個目標已落實。再者，鞋子是生活必需品，而非飾品配件，所以產品設計本身舒適比外表漂亮來得重要；除此之外，便宜讓每個人都可以負擔的製作成本也是考量重點。這個品牌製造涼鞋的工廠每年生產銷售一百萬雙的成品，也顯示出大家都喜愛也需要這件產品。
「我的存在不是讓涼鞋跟上潮流變得有型，而是讓穿上涼鞋的人感到自在、漂亮。」Philippe承認當初設計鞋款時設計癮上身，在創作過程中欲罷不能，一連草構出四十八種不同款式、顏色的雛形，也希望每個不同樣子造型的人都可以找到自己喜歡的鞋。
我很好奇，如果將慕尼黑擬人化，在這四十八款涼鞋中，Philippe會替慕尼黑挑選哪一雙鞋呢？上方照片裡他手中端著的黑色夾腳涼鞋則是他給我的答案。
「優雅、利落是我對慕尼黑的印象。」說完，Philippe又笑著補充，「不過今天的天氣，我大概會再套上一雙襪子噢。」
The presentation was hosted by the newest business partner whom Philippe Starck designed for. “I never judge a product of its selling price; instead, I see if this design can bring a better life to more people. Many people live in the circle of equator need Sandals.” First of all, Philippe achieved one of his goals, to serve the community. Second, shoes are life necessities, not accessories; therefore to make shoes comfortable is more important than to make them beautiful. Moreover, an affordable price for everyone to buy is also a focal point.
“I am not here to make shoes fashionable but to let people feel comfortable and beautiful who put the shoes on,” Philippe admitted that he could not help but not stop designing at the beginning of creation process. In the end, we see all 48 different styles he created for every type of people. “I hope people find their favorite shoes of my collection easily.”
I was curious, from his impression of Munich, which shoes present the best of an image of this city. In this picture below was his answer for me, black sandals.
“Elegant yet simple is my impression of Munich. However, for a fresh day as today, I would put on one pair of socks,” he told us with a smile.
身為一位設計師面對自己作品時，Philippe則再次展現出誠實、真誠的一面。上面這張照片中，前頭一朵黑色圓紐扣，腳背部分有細帶子的涼鞋，在第一次的雛形其實沒有腳背上的這條帶子。在追求極簡可能性的過程中，Philippe希望一再突破自己的極限，無奈在反覆試驗後，腳跟因為走路擺動關係，腳板容易跑出鞋板，基於安全上的考量，才在最大容許狀況內加上了細帶。
「不過我不會放棄思考改良的可能性。」Philippe肯定地喃喃自語。
As the designer who created the collection, when he reviewed the products, he truly showed his honest and sincere side again. The Sandals in the image above that has a black Button and a thin strap on the instep actually had no stripe at the beginning. However, due to the security reason, Philippe had to add one thin line to it.
“I will think about how to achieve a minimalist style to this model.” he murmured.
整場座談會一位女士始終在側默默地安排細節觀看，她就是Philippe的妻子，Jasmine。從言談中了解，Philippe做設計，而Jasmine則負責其他以外的週邊事項；兩人一同工作、一起旅行，一起過簡單生活。
我很好奇，在Jasmine眼中，她的丈夫是個什麼樣個性的人，可不可以用三個字來形容Philippe呢？
「Over Human（她強調，雖然這不是一個字，卻很真切地形容她心目中Philippe的樣子，簡單來說就是“超人”。）、Humanist（以人為本），最後Visionary（夢想家）。」她毫不扭捏讚揚自己先生，眼生愛慕。照片裡Jasmine手臂上的特殊刺青在Philippe手臂上也有一個相同的圖騰，問了其中典故，兩人都笑了。
「這是我們相守的信號，空心圓圈是結婚前的日子，兩年；實心圓圈則是結婚之後，我們已經忙了三年，有三個實心圓還沒有刺上去；婚後第三年我們有了第一個孩子，就是那一條杠子。」Jasmine這麼說著。
如果你是Starck迷，你一定清楚他的設計理念與初衷始終沒有變過，甚至目標越來越遠大，希望替更多大我（社群）服務，讓更多人的生活更美好。對我，從這位大男孩設計師純樸的眼中，比對他的最新設計，你知道他說的是真話，盡自己的能力把每一件簡單的事情做好，不管是一棟大樓、一個空間、一部車、一架榨果汁器或是一把牙刷、一對鞋。
「對我來說，戒指隨時可以拔掉不俱有特殊意義，刺青卻是一輩子的事呢。」Philippe隨即補充道。
During the presentation, there was a woman who arranged details and watched all the time quietly, she is Philippe’s wife, Jasmin. From Philippe’s conversation, I understood that he is responsible for the design and she is connecting with people whom he works with. They work together, travel together and live together simply.
I was wondering, through her eyes, what kind of person Philippe is. Could she describe her husband in three words?
“Over Human, although it is not a single word, for me, he is like a Superman as this word says. Then, Humanist; last, Visionary.” She praised her husband without tweaking but love. In the photo, you can see a special tattoo on Jasmin’s arm, Philippe has the same one in the same place. I asked the story about it; both of them smiled.
“This is a signal of our relationship process. Hollow circles show the first two years we stayed together before our marriage; two years. Solid circles show the time after our wedding; actually, there are still three Solid circles to be made. The third year after the wedding, we have our first child; that is the line.” Jasmin told me.
“For me, a ring does not mean anything; it could be removed any time. However, a tattoo is forever.” Philippe added immediately.
If you are a fan of Philippe Starck, you know that he never changes his concept to design; and the concept is even more huge that he would like to offer more effort to the community (people) and let people have a better life. For me, through his point of view and then compare to what he said and what he did, I know that his words are real. He tries his best to do every single thing, no matter a building, space, one car or a juice machine, a toothbrush or shoes.