lenny kravitz + philippe starck collaborate on seating for kartell

<p>the american rock icon has re-interpreted six 'mademoiselle chairs' originally designed by the french designer for kartell.watch the designers explain the project to designboom.</p>

anita hackethal April 18, 2012 3 min

lenny kravitz + philippe starck collaborate on seating for kartell

kartell ‘goes rock!’ on the occasion of milan design week 2012, presenting a furniture collaboration between french designer philippe starck and musician lenny kravitz.

the project grew out of a friendship between the two and the american rock icon’s studio kravitz design resulting in an exclusive collection of six reinterpreted ‘mademoiselle chairs’ which were originally designed by starck for the italian furniture company. kravitz has re-imaged and upholstered the seating pieces with a combination of fabrics of varying textures, selected together with starck. exotic textiles of fur, leather, python and woven materials come together to create a visual and tactile experience with the designs which reflect the character and spirit of both artists.

lenny kravitz + philippe starck collaborate on seating for kartell - 1 kravitz has re-imagined and upholstered starck’s design with a combination of textural fabrics including python and fur

‘philippe starck has been wonderfully supportive my design endeavours, so when he asked me if I would interpret his ‘mademoiselle chair’ for kartell, I was excited about the idea of two icons collaborating in this way. the kravitz design take on the ‘mademoiselle chair’ is haute couture meets rock and roll.’ – lenny kravitz

the reason behind the project – lenny talks to designboom video © designboom

‘an environment is made of materiality; wood, stone, metal… but also made of immateriality such as light, temperature, memories and also sounds and music. lenny proved at the highest level he could create an entire musical universe. it is now time for him to translate the magic of his music into materiality, into chairs, into lamps… a new experience for lenny, a new territory for us.’ – philippe starck

describing the re-interpreted pieces – philippe talks to designboom video © designboom

lenny kravitz + philippe starck collaborate on seating for kartell - 2 the collection of re-interpreted ‘mademoiselle’ chairs

lenny kravitz + philippe starck collaborate on seating for kartell - 3 the kartell flagship store is transformed into a stage to showcase the new furniture pieces image © designboom

lenny kravitz + philippe starck collaborate on seating for kartell - 4 the combination of python skin and fur offer a visual and tactile experience image © designboom

lenny kravitz + philippe starck collaborate on seating for kartell - 7 lenny kravitz, philippe starck, claudio luti (president of kartell) at the kartell stand at salone del mobile 2012, milan image © designboom

journalists and fans alike await the arrival of lenny kravitz and philippe starck at the opening night party at kartell