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)
Completely Original Alexandria Chair Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare opportunity. All original example of the Alexandria Chair designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Retains the original, high quality black leather seat with attractive wear. This...
Mahogany, Leather
Armchair by George Nelson for Herman Miller Restored
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Kansas City, MO
George Nelson armchair in new blue Maharam fabric. Blonde Primavera frame in excellent condition.
Upholstery, Wood
Set of Six Mandarin Dining Chairs by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll
By Ettore Sottsass, Knoll
Located in Kansas City, MO
Set of six dining chairs designed by Ettore Sottsass, the founder of the Memphis Group, Milan, Italy. These chairs are in very good completely original condition. Super sturdy constr...
Steel
One Brazilian Rosewood Dining Chair Model 422 by Arne Vodder for Sibast, Signed.
By Sibast, Arne Vodder
Located in Kansas City, MO
Single Brazilian rosewood dining side chair designed by Arne Vodder for Sibast, 1960s, Denmark. This chair is in very good condition and re...
Upholstery, Rosewood
Four Alexandria Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Elegant Modern at Its Best
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Set of 4 Alexandria Chairs designed by Edward Wormley. One of Wormley's most coveted designs. These can be used as dining / kitchen chairs, game table chairs or side chairs in any ro...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Set of Eight "Malta" Dining Chairs by Nils Jonsson for Troeds Bjarnum, 1960s
By Nils Jonsson
Located in Kansas City, MO
Set of eight vintage Mid-Century Modern "Malta" dining chairs designed by Nils Jonsson for Swedish manufacturer Troeds Bjarnum. Teak frames, featuring clean horizontal back slats and...
Fabric, Teak
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” Dining Chair for Poltronova, 1964
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Giovanni Michelucci “Torbecchia” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, Italy, 1964. Crafted from dark-stained beechwood with woven straw seats, the "Torbecchia" dining chairs for Poltronova...
Straw, Wood
Italian Design Classic Gio Ponti, Leggera Chair for Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Renens, CH
The 646 Leggera chair is an iconic design created by the renowned Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti; designed in 1952, this chair is celebrated for its lightweight and elegan...
Fabric, Ash
Toscanella dining chair designed by Sergio Camilli for Poltronova, 1963.
By Sergio Camilli
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Toscanella dining chair designed by Sergio Camilli for Poltronova in 1963. Rosewood frame, leather. Sergio Camilli, an Italian designer, founded the furniture company Poltronova in ...
Leather, Wood
Alessandro Becchi “Toscanolla” Dining Chair for Giovannetti, 1970
By Alessandro Becchi, Giovannetti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Alessandro Becchi “Toscanolla” dining chair for Giovannetti, ash and straw, Italy, 1970. Designed by Becchi for Giovannetti in 1970, the “Toscanolla” chair has a presence that’s bot...
Straw, Ash
Gio Ponti Superleggera Side Chair model 646 Italy 1957 Mid Century
By Gio Ponti
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a Vintage Superleggera Side Chair by Gio Ponti, model 646, Italy circa 1957 Ash wood and cane. Dimensions: 32.5 h x 16 d x 15.75 w Seat h 18 Preowned restor...
Wood
Single Chiavarina Mod. S1 chair by Azucena, Italy, 1950s
By Azucena
Located in Milan, IT
Rare single Chiavarina Mod. S1 chair by Azucena, Italy, 1950s Reference: Azucena Catalogue.
Wicker, Wood
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.
