Philippe Starck Creates the Ultimate Inflight Objects of Desire

WESSCO International has called on world-renown designer Philippe Starck to create some of the most desirable in-flight amenity kits ever to take off the runway, and they’re pretty dishy.

“Starck is an iconic modern designer, and the breadth and impact of his work is unparalleled,” says Petros Sakkis, Vice President International Operations at WESSCO International. “Among other things, he is well known for the inspiring spaces and products he has created for the hospitality industry. We wanted to help bring his unique vision to the world’s top airlines.”

Starck’s collection of first and business class amenity kits are surprisingly minimalistic, considering some of the designers’ more whimsical, eclectic creations. The kits come in a diverse palate with soft-case and hard-shell versions which look good enough to eat.

A frequent flyer himself, Starck was thrilled by the challenge of creating something that passengers would not only cherish onboard but long after their trip.

Philippe Starck by Nicolas Guerin WEB

“From the beginning of the creative process, two words appeared to me: the elegance and the gift,” Starck said of the project. “We create such an elegant and intelligent object that it would truly become a gift. And it might be the first time that passengers will open the bag and say: Oh! This is exactly what I wanted!”

WESSCO partners with leading brands like L’Occitan, La Prairie, Bvlgari and Salvatore Ferragamo for cosmetics and reaches out to leading designers to create bespoke desirables–like Stark’s delectable, sherbet-chiclet Ladies Business class amenity kit.

WESSCO Ladies Business Class hard shell kit, designed by Philippe Starck/WESSCO

“Starck has driven the process from the beginning, insisting on quality and innovation at every level,” says Luigi Auricchio, Creative Director for Asia and EMEA at WESSCO International. “He personally scrutinized each aspect of the modern amenity kit, from the outer shell to every individual content item. He has re-conceived and re-constructed everything from scratch, seeking to enhance elegance and functionality, as pieces and as a whole.”

In 2013, WESSCO collaborated with the Eames Foundation on the design of a First Class amenity kit for American Airlines which gets a second life as a stylish iPad carrier. The company has supplied the world’s leading airlines, hotels and cruise lines with gift items since it was first founded in Los Angeles in 1979.