Philippe Starck, six Miss Dorn chairs for Disform

PHILIPPE STARCK (Paris, 1949), for Disform.
Set of 6 “Miss Dorn” chairs, 1980s.
Black-lacquered metal frame and upholstered seat.
In excellent condition.
Measurements: 70 x 54 x 40 cm.

Presented as a set of six, the “Miss Dorn” model is one of the most refined and recognizable designs to emerge from the collaboration between Philippe Starck and the Spanish manufacturer Disform. The piece explores a minimalist aesthetic based on pure geometric forms and a remarkable economy of materials: a black-lacquered tubular steel tripod frame, a circular upholstered seat that appears to float above the base, and a backrest formed by a simple tubular arch.

“Miss Dorn” is an exercise in formal simplification, in which the chair is reduced to its essential components without losing its sculptural presence. The interplay between curved lines, slanted supports, and a single circular plane creates a low, compact silhouette with great graphic precision—a hallmark of Starck’s design language in the 1980s.

The collaboration between Philippe Starck and Disform gave rise to a series of furniture pieces that became icons of postmodern design. Characterized by their structural simplicity, the use of industrial materials, and evocative names—several of which were inspired by characters from Philip K. Dick’s novel *Ubik*—they blend minimalism, irony, and sculptural precision. Among the most notable pieces from this period are “Miss Wirt,” “Miss Dorn,” and “Wendy B.”

Philippe Starck trained at the École Nissim de Camondo in Paris and soon embarked on an extensive international career, collaborating with firms such as Driade, Alessi, Kartell, Vitra, and Disform. His reputation was cemented in the 1980s after he was commissioned to renovate the private apartments of the Élysée Palace for François Mitterrand and to design the famous Café Costes. Since then, his work has spanned furniture, lighting, interiors, architecture, and industrial design, establishing him as one of the key figures in contemporary design.