Philippe Starck goes shopping at Big Lots
Famed designer Philippe Starck, his wife, Jasmine, right, and daughter Ara go shopping at a Big Lots store in Hollywood to show how far a dollar can go in recessionary times. In a time of financial crisis, we must go back to timeless objects and rediscover the elegance of basics, says Starck, the designer behind L.A. hot spots such as the restaurant Katsuya. Can you live elegantly and economically? We shall see. Give me 20 minutes, says the designer of furniture, accessories and other products. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
.
Starck inspects the clothing aisle and chooses a gray T-shirt and work gloves, plus a $4 pack of boxer shorts that he says is a necessity, so when a man takes off his clothes, the girl will not laugh. For his wife, he adds a pair of black tights and a bra. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
You must be very rigorous, Starck says, kneeling down to sift through discounted wares in search of the gems. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Starck breezes through the linens at Big Lots, comparing bath towel patterns. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Advertisement
At the checkout counter, Starck inspects one of his purchases while unloading his two baskets. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Starck says he’s pleased with Big Lots’ furnishings and children’s art supplies. Among his purchases: a folding table and chairs, sidewalk chalk, a 240-piece paint and marker set, a packet of paper in a color he dubs Prada green and a 10-pack of No. 2 pencils. Total: less than $50. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Starck assembled a place setting from Big Lots’ tableware: a silver charger, a white dinner dish and bowl, a black salad plate and a glass tumbler, for a total cost of $5.50. Starck also chose a 42-piece set of Hartford flatware ($25) and threw in a $4 set of Christmas balls to add color to a holiday gathering. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Starck, shown driving away from Big Lots, may be famous for putting a modern spin on French luxury and using expensive material in the process, but he also embraces sensible consumerism: “We have been sticking our money into the fan. We must be more intelligent now. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
