On the terrace of the BernhardtDesign space in Milan, Israel-born,now Parisian, Arik chatted withELLE DECOR about his views on design.

ELLE DECOR: How does it feel to bedesigner of the year?
ARIK LEVY: Of all the international awards,this is the one which is truly global witheditors across the 24 editions voting for thenominees. So I feel really honoured to havebeen chosen.
ED: Did you always want to bea designer?
AL: I was born a designer. I had no choice,its not that I didn�t get into law school, soI opted for design. To me, design is anuncontrolled muscle which controls me.
ED: Which designers have inspired you?
AL: I am intrinsically inspired by nature,even though it does not translate directlyinto my products. The second source ofinspiration is my mind. Everything I do is aresult of everything I have been and willever be. Also the landmark creations ofvarious creative people are influences thateach of us interpret in our own ways.