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)
'90s Wristwatch "Ollo" by Museo Alchimia Alessandro Mendini, Italy
By Alessandro Mendini, Studio Alchimia
Located in Milano, IT
Alessandro Mendini's wristwatch, crafted during the 1990s for the Museo Alchimia, served as a pioneering prototype for Swatch, a renowned company for wh...
Stainless Steel
Old Pink Plastic & Rubber '90s Wrist Watch by a. Mendini for Museo Alchimia
By Studio Alchimia, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Wrist watch designed by Alessadro Mendini for Museo Alchimia, '90s. This manual wind watch was a prototype for the Swatch, a well-known company for whic...
Stainless Steel
Vintage Red Plastic Wall Clock from Prim, 1970s
By PRIM Clocks
Located in Kojetice, CZ
Vintage bakelite wall clock was made by Prim in former Czechoslovakia during the 1970s - 1980s. It features a red plastic body with black clockface and a convex clear glass cover. Th...
Glass, Plastic, Bakelite
$3,000
H 9.5 in W 1.5 in D 0.25 in
Men’s Vintage International Watch Company 18 Karat Gold Wrist Watch
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Schaffhausen vintage International Watch Co. (IWC), circa 1950s. 18-karat yellow gold watch with rose gold dial and applied yellow gold bar markers. ...
Gold
Juvenia New Old Stock Leather Bound "Book Clock" for a Desk 1930's
By Juvenia
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Eterna Watch and Clock Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Desk Clock METAL / MATERIAL: Leather and Gilt CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSION...
Leather
Italian Murano Glass Vase Simira Model by Alessandro Mendini for Venini.
By Venini, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Milan, Italy
Vase model Simira filigree glass and solid glass base molded to the wheel, circa 1987- 1988. Signed. Biography Alessandro Mendini was born in Milan in 1931. After a long experience...
Glass
$750
H 8.86 in W 6.5 in D 3.55 in
Ritratto Blue Wall Hanging Flower Vase Alessandro Mendini Postmodern
By Marutomi, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
"Ritratto" flower vase for the wall designed by Alessandro Mendini for Marutomi. Designed in the late 90s and start production in 2000. No longer production. New old stock in box. W...
Plastic
$1,318
H 32.29 in W 32.29 in D 2.56 in
Italian modern square plastic wall clock by Kurt B. Delbanco for Morphos, 1980s
By Morphos
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern square plastic wall clock by Kurt B. Delbanco for Morphos, 1980s Square plastic wall clock. The dial features a geometric and graphic design with primary colors, black...
Metal
$700
H 8.86 in W 6.5 in D 3.55 in
Ritratto Green Wall Hanging Flower Vase Alessandro Mendini Postmodern
By Alessandro Mendini, Marutomi
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
"Ritratto" flower vase for the wall designed by Alessandro Mendini for Marutomi. Designed in the late 90s and start production in 2000. No longer production. New old stock in box. W...
Plastic
$1,412
H 6.7 in W 7.09 in D 2.37 in
Shohei Mihara Paradise Table Color Plastic Alarm Clock for Wakita, circa 1980
By Shohei Mihara
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Tabletop Plastic Color Memphis Style Alarm Clock, model 'Paradise', designed by Shohei MIhara. Manufactured by Wakita Super Present Japan in Japan, circa 1980. In original cond...
Plastic
$340,977
H 3.55 in W 2.56 in D 0.6 in
Vacheron Constantin Ref. 92115, a very fine, unique 18K pink gold pocket watch
By Vacheron Constantin
Located in London, GB
Vacheron Constantin Ref. 92115, an extremely fine and unique 18K pink gold pocket watch Swiss-made, October 2001, Height 9cm, width 6.5cm, depth 1.5cm Open: height 9cm, width 13cm, d...
Gold
Henning Koppel for Georg Jensen, White Plastic Wall Clock
Located in København, Copenhagen
Henning Koppel for Georg Jensen. White plastic wall clock. Dial with Roman numerals. Clockwork quartz. 1960 / 70's. Measure: Dia...
Plastic
Idalion vintage flower vase Venini Alessandro Mendini Postmodern
By Alessandro Mendini, Venini
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
"idalion" flower vase designed by Alessandro Mendini for Venini. Vintage blue color. Made in 1995. "Venini 95 A.mendini" Carving on bottom. No chips, no cracks. good condition.
Blown Glass
Henning Koppel for Georg Jensen, White Plastic Wall Clock, 1960s-1970s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Henning Koppel for Georg Jensen. White plastic wall clock. Dial with Roman numerals. Clockwork quartz, 1960s-1970s. Measures: Diameter 40 cm. In very good condition.
Plastic