Spotlight on Philippe Starck's Louis Ghost Chair

The Louis Ghost Chair from Kartell is a testament to Philippe Starck's ability to blend classic design elements with contemporary materials and techniques. Designed in 2002, it is already considered a design icon by many.

---

---

Who designed the Kartell Louis Ghost Chair?

The Louis Ghost Chair was designed by the renowned French designer Philippe Starck for Kartell in 2002. With a prolific career spanning interior design, architecture, and product design, Starck's innovative, often whimsical approach challenges conventions and embraces sustainability.

What was the inspiration behind the Louis Ghost design?

The Louis Ghost Chair is inspired by the Louis XVI armchair (called the goût grec when it first caught on), a classic French design popularized during the ill-fated reign of Louis XVI and his queen, Marie Antoinette. Philippe Starck reinterpreted this traditional style in a contemporary and minimalist way, constructing the chair from a single piece of transparent polycarbonate plastic. The transparent nature of the design allows the chair to blend seamlessly with various interior design styles and environments.

---

---

What is the Louis Ghost made from?

All genuine Kartell Louis Ghost chairs produced today are made from Polycarbonate 2.0, a material used exclusively by Kartell. It combines a second-generation renewable polymer made from cellulose and paper waste with an ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) certified process.

The benefits of polycarbonate, such as superior shock resistance and flame retardant properties, elasticity, excellent mechanical properties and easy recycling, are retained in version 2.0.

---

---

How to spot a fake?

It's important to note that while replica versions may offer a lower upfront cost, they often come with trade-offs in terms of quality, durability, and ethical considerations, such as potential infringement of intellectual property rights.

As with many other iconic furniture designs, the internet is rife with sub-par replica versions of the Ghost Chair. Luckily for fans of the original, these imitation chairs are much easier to spot than fake versions of some other well-known designs. Here are a few other telltale signs...

The Label

All authentic Philippe Starck Louis Ghost chairs feature an embossed Kartell stamp of authenticity under the polycarbonate shell.

The Dimensions

Philippe Starck, like any good designer, has finely tuned the proportions of the Ghost Chair design. The replicas on the market might "look like" an original Ghost Chair but oftentimes you'll notice that the dimensions are slightly different, and it can't be understated how much these small changes can negatively affect both the comfort and usability of the chair, but also the visual proportions.

View the dimensions of authentic Ghost chairs below.

The Price Tag

The advances in material development and improvements in sustainability mentioned above understandably come at a cost and this, along with Kartell's commitment to craftsmanship, and production standards, is reflected in the retail price.

The Utility Guarantee

As an official stockist, every product found on our website is a guaranteed, authentic original. You won't find any replicas here at Utility.

---

---

Ghost Chair Overview

• Brand : Kartell
• Designer : Philippe Starck
• Type : Stackable armchair
• Material : Polycarbonate
• Dimensions : L54 H94 cm H seat 47 cm H armrest 67 cm
• Weight : 10.56 lb
• Characteristics : Louis XV style revisited
• Country of Manufacture : Italy

---

Time for more? Spotlight on the Carl Hansen & Son CH07 Shell Chair | Spotlight on the &Tradition Little Petra | Design Icon : The Saarinen Tulip Table