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 Studio Alchimia, Alessandro Mendini
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
$808Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.55 in W 5.91 in D 4.34 in
Vintage Space Age Digital Alarm Clock by LOGO, Plastic, Taiwan, 1970s
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This electronic clock with alarm was produced by the Taiwanese manufacturer LOGO during the 1970s. It is made of white and black plastic. The clock has an easy-to-read 24-hour displa...
Plastic
$750
H 8.86 in W 6.5 in D 3.55 in
Ritratto Blue 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
$343,630
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
$1,427
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
$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
Idalion vintage flower vase Venini Alessandro Mendini Postmodern
By Venini, Alessandro Mendini
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
Vintage Traditional 18kt Gold Tonneau Wrist Watch, circa 1930
By Junghans Uhren GmbH
Located in Barcelona, ES
Vintage traditional wrist watch with the original leather wrist band. Step back in time with this exquisite vintage traditional wristwatch from the 1930s. A perfect addition to an...
Metal
$1,995
H 15.16 in Dm 4.93 in
Alessandro Mendini & Lapo Binazzi for Alessi, Vase '100% Make Up', Italy 1992
By Memphis Milano, Alessi, Alessandro Mendini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Malmö, SE
A postmodern limited-edition porcelain vase with lid from the first edition of the “100% Make-Up” series by Alessi Tendentse, Italy, released in 1992. The vase’s shape was designed...
Ceramic