Alessandro Mendini was born in Milan in 1931. Through his work as an architect, designer, journalist, theorist and publisher, Mendini helped establish the Italian design sensibility on a global scale with a particular focus on neo-modern, avant-garde design as well as the crossover between art, design and architecture.
Mendini’s influential work spanned the arenas of graphics, furniture, interiors, architecture, stage design, writing and painting. He graduated from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1959, and he began his career at the studio of artist-designer Marcello Nizzoli. He went on to become the publisher of the popular magazines Casabella (1970–76), Modo and Domus (each 1979–85).
In 1979, Mendini joined Ettore Sottsass and Michele de Lucchi as a partner at Studio Alchimia, a harbinger of the Memphis Group before he cofounded Domus Academy in 1982. In 1989, he and his brother Francesco established their architectural practice, Atelier Mendini, in Milan, where he worked until his death in February 2019. In recognition of his outstanding body of work, Mendini was awarded the Compasso d’Oro twice, in 1979 and 1981. He was also honored by the Architectural League of New York, made Chevalier des Arts et Lettres in France, and, in 2014, he was awarded the European Prize for Architecture.
Mendini’s work is included in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum and the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris, among others.
Find vintage Alessandro Mendini chairs, vases, table lamps and other furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by STUDIO CADMIUM)
grey metal 1980-90s post modern floor lamp in the style of A. Mendini
By Alessandro Guerriero, Studio Alchimia, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Curious floor lamp in dark grey painted metal, bent, welded and perforated. Probably produced between the late 80s and early 90s. Lamp holder with triangular support suspended from t...
Iron
Italian Ico Parisi Style 1950s Pink Cushioned Armchair
By Gio Ponti, Ico Parisi
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This beautiful cushioned armchair was design and produced in the 1950s. Its shape, style and quality resembles similar contemporary products design by Gio Ponti or Ico Parisi. The ar...
Fabric, Wood
Italian pink/red Plastic Laminate & Wood side Table or bedside table, 1960s
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Side table or bedside table with drawer made of wood and 2 laminate top surfaces. It remains in good vintage condition: visible defects of the pink/red plastic laminate (see detailed...
Plastic, Laminate, Wood
Large hand painted ceramic rabbit figurine for Walt Disney, 1962
By Ugo Zaccagnini
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Large ceramic rabbit hand painted in the 60s, character taken from Walt Disney and made under license in 1962, as per adhesive label and signature...
Ceramic
Small Italian nickel plated metal & Velvet 1970s Picture Frame
By Tommaso Barbi, Romeo Rega
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This small picture frame is made from nickel-plated metal with brown plastic inserts and brown velvet back. 2 worked brass stops complete the object and allow it to be opened and clo...
Metal, Nickel, Brass
Multicolored Murano Glass 1980s/90s advertisement paperweight by VeArt Pirelli
By VeArt
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This beatiful hand made advertising paperweight was produced in Italy by Veart for the Pirelli group. Engraved at the bottom with the maker's s...
Murano Glass
Vintage 1980s Swatch Maxi Giant Oversized Pop Art Wall Clock - Memphis Design
By Swatch
Located in St. Louis, MO
This iconic, colossal 1980s Swatch "Maxi" giant wall clock is the ultimate artifact of late 20th-century pop art culture and Memphis-style postmodern design. Originally engineered as high-impact promotional storefront displays for Swatch boutiques before becoming a holy grail for collectors, this functional giant wall clock measures an impressive 82 inches (nearly 7 feet) in length. As vibrantly documented in photos, this specific model features a quintessential '80s New Wave colorway, pairing a bold bubblegum pink strap with a rich teal-green watch head and bezel. The clock face showcases a minimalist, pixelated pink and mint-green geometric block design with stark white hands, completely capturing the digital-age aesthetic of the era. Crafted in Switzerland out of durable molded matte polymer, the clock cleverly replicates every charming detail of a classic wrist-worn Swatch watch blown up to a monumental scale—complete with the signature ribbed strap, traditional buckle, and sizing holes. The clock is fully operational, running on a reliable quartz movement that transforms a massive wall space into a bold, nostalgic conversation piece. Perfect for an eclectic living room, a design studio, or a retro-inspired lounge, this rare working Maxi Swatch...
Plastic
Pierre Cardin Space Watch
By Pierre Cardin
Located in New York, NY
Wedged shaped watch in burnished stainless steel and gilt metal by Pierre Cardin. White leather wide strap holds futuristic Cardin "Space" watch produced and fitted with Jaeger movem...
Gilt Metal
Swatch Twelve Apostles Watch Hand Signed by Kostabi 1995 New, Never Worn
By Mark Kostabi
Located in Wallkill, NY
New old stock 1995 Mark Kostabi Swatch Watch, Twelve Apostles Hand illustrated and Signed on the case and band by Kostabi Himself. He named it BOMB PA...
Cartier Pink Enamel Desk Clock
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Cartier pink enamel desk clock, circa 1910s Circular-shaped dial with Arabic numerals, white enamel dotted bezel surrounding the dial, pink guilloché ena...
Enamel
Vintage Bulgari 18K Yellow Gold Coral & Mother-of-Pearl Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Elegant vintage Bulgari wristwatch crafted in 18K yellow gold, featuring a refined elongated octagonal case accented with vibrant coral panels and a luminous mother-of-pearl dial. T...
Coral, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Gucci G-Timeless 27mm Steel Pink Dial Quartz Ladies Watch YA126578
By Gucci
Located in New York, NY
New watch. No original box and papers. Comes with a chronostore box. 1 year warranty.
Steel
Alessandro Mendini, Michael Graves, Ettore Sottsass and other design luminaries contributed to this unusual collection of porcelain wares representing a time capsule of late-20th-century decorative art.
Aided by photos taken of the maestro in his Milan studio, we honor the influential design talent who died last month at 87.
