When you're able to introduce a designer with a single name, his surname, and there's no mistaking who it may be, then you know that the subject of today's post stands head and shoulders above the best. Which is saying a lot, but then there's only one Starck.

He's earned more accolades than everyone else combined, and the beseeching requests from the world's leading brands have rarely abated since he took flight as the darling of industrial, interior and product design. Since his first big break designing the interior for French ex-President Francois Mitterand's apartment back in the mid-80s, Philipe Starck's name and unmistakable '+' logo have become synonymous with excellence.

Which would be why his work is immediately recognised the world over: a bike for Aprilia (which, though it looked beautiful, even he slated as a worthless piece of junk). A yacht for Giga. Watches for Fossil. Nightclubs. Hotels. And then there are those unique twists on domestic items which display his rare thinking - the free-standing Dr. Skud fly swatter designed for Alessi in 1998. And of course, who could forget, that Juicy Salif lemon juicer.

He doesn't give a fig for the work of other designers, he's had 5 wives, lives in 4 cities and is only interested in goodness, not beauty. Considering the way he has with everything he designs, he's quite possible the greatest living designer of our time, and there's no way to wax lyrical more than simply bringing you these images, which speak for themselves.