Ce presse-agrume est réalisé par le grand designer Philippe Starck pour Alessi au début des années 90, à la suite du projet « Solferino » destiné à faire travailler six architectes et designers français pour la marque italienne. Présenté comme un véritable objet iconique qui symbolise la production de cette collaboration, le presse-agrume Juicy Salif est révolutionnaire et sa fonctionnalité est surprenante. Philippe Starck l'avait ébauché sur une nappe de pizzeria alors qu'il était en vacances au bord de la mer en Italie. Il est réalisé en fonte d'aluminium brillant avec des pieds en polyamide. Cet objet mystérieux étonne et séduit par son physique, et il habillera tout plan de travail de la cuisine tout en jouant son rôle pour obtenir de délicieux jus.
Born in Paris in 1949, Philippe Starck is one of today's most original and prolific designers. Philippe Starck has become a hallowed figure of international design. A self-proclaimed "autodidact" after a spell at the Camondo school, he was already a company director even before he came of age. An inspired Jack-of-all-trades, he has no hesitation in revisiting the styles and icons of the past. While he regularly works in the world of luxury, he is also credited with democratising design. He has worked extensively with a wide range of industrial partners, particularly furniture manufacturers such as Cassina, Driade and Kartell. The Mademoiselle bridge combines an airy polycarbonate structure with a comfortable seat in polyurethane upholstered in fabrics emblematic of various Italian designers (Missoni, D&G and Valentino). He won major prizes such as the Grand Prix National de la Création industrielle and the Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects. Philippe Starck describes himself as "a Japanese architect, an American set designer, a German industrial designer, a French art director and an Italian furniture designer". He also works with lighting and tableware manufacturers such as Baccarat and Flos on the KTribe collection.
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ALESSI
In 1921, Giovanni Alessi founded the Italian company Alessi. Since 1929, the company has focussed on producing nickel- or silver-plated copper tableware. When Carlo Alessi, Giovanni's son, was appointed design director in 1935, handcrafting methods were replaced by industrial manufacturing. In 1955, the company began collaborating with world-renowned architects and designers such as Richard Sapper, Ettore Sottsass, and later, Philippe Starck and Marcel Wanders. Alessi makes design accessible by focussing on useful, humorous and visually appealing home accessories. Most of its products have become design classics that are sold and exhibited around the world.