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 Post Modern Alessandro Mendini Glas Italia Memphis Industrial Wall Mirror
By Glas Italia, Alessandro Mendini
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Rare 90s Postmodern Post Modern Alessandro Mendini for Glas Italia Memphis Industrial Mixed Metals Abstract Wall Mirror Gorgeous sculptural raw brush finished mixed Silver and Copp...
Metal
Square Mirror Model "Optical" Designed by Alessandro Mendini for Glas, Italy
By Glas Italia, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1990s. This is a limited edition. The mirror was designed by Alessandro Mendini with Sanchita Ajjampur, a famous Indian fashion designe...
Mirror
Set of 3 mirrored panels by Alessandro Mendini for Elam
By Elam, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Ravenna, IT
No. 3 mirror panels, made by Elam in 1986 based on a design by Alessandro Mendini. The panels feature a structure made of wooden panels, on which the large mirrors with colorful scre...
Mirror, Wood
Specchio di Proust Mirror, by Alessandro Mendini for Glas Italia
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Stamford, CT
A wismical multi colored mirror designed by Alessandro Mendini and produced by Glas Italia.
Glass
Mirror by Alessandro Mendini for Zabro, Italy, '85/'90s
By Zabro, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Vicenza, VI
Alessandro Mendini graduated in Architecture from the Milan Polytechnic in 1959. From the late 1970s he was among the leading figures in the renewal of Italian design. His work was d...
Wood
Sosia mirror by Alessandro Mendini for Zanotta
By Zanotta, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Ravenna, IT
Oval wall mirror designed by Alessandro Mendini for Zanotta in 1991. The mirror features a simple perimeter shape with a ground contour. The hooking element on the back also serves a...
Mirror
$2,095Sale Price|40% Off
H 47.25 in W 35.44 in D 1.97 in
"Red Mirror" by Fratelli Tosi, Murano Glass Mirror, Handmade Made in Italy
By Fratelli Tosi
Located in Murano Venezia, IT
Contemporary Murano glass mirror, composed of an external beveled band in clear mirror, and an internal beveled band of red color with...
Art Glass, Mirror, Murano Glass
Illuminated mirror by Ernest Igl for Hillebrand
By Hillebrand, Ernest Igl
Located in Hannover, DE
A wall mirror with indirect lighting from the German manufacturer Hillebrand Lighting. It was manufactured in the 1970s. The frame contains four E14 light bulbs (max. 40W). The mirro...
Sheet Metal
Custom Italian Brass Mirror by Le Lampade
By Gio Ponti
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Italian brass mirror by Le Lampade. 1950s Italian Gio Ponti style. This mirror can be custom made and several finishes are available.
Brass
$11,366
H 76.78 in W 39.38 in D 5.12 in
Ultrafragola Mirror/Lamp by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, Italy
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in Milan, Italy
The Ultrafragola mirror / lamp with its sinuous shape, evocative of a wavy female hair, belongs to the Gray Furniture series, a complete bedroom and liv...
Glass, Plastic
$440Sale Price|53% Off
H 27 in W 52 in D 2 in
Large Post Modern Memphis Style Zebra & Wenge Wood Asymmetrical Wall Mirror
By Memphis Group
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Very cool and unusual asymmetrical Memphis style exotic wood wall mirror. This large mirror is made of thick slabs of irregularly shaped wenge wood and includes striped zebra wood on...
Mirror, Zebra Wood, Wood, Wenge
$9,709 / item
H 76.78 in W 39.38 in D 5.12 in
Ultrafragola Mirror/Lamp by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, Italy
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milan, Italy
This is Ultrafragola a nice mirror designed by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova in the 1970. It is a translucent white plastic frame of undulating outline, concealing pink internal flu...
Glass, Plastic
Set of Matching Mirrors by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Westport, CT
Rare set of matching mirrors designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950s. Mahogany framing and caning fully restored. Original mirrors i...
Cane, Mahogany
Domina I 90 Wall Mirror by Atlas Project
Located in Geneve, CH
Domina I 90 Wall Mirror by Atlas Project Dimensions: D 4/6 x Ø 90 cm. Materials: Calacatta Gold marble, brushed brass, mirror, and wood. Available in different finishes and sizes. ...
Marble, Brass
Midcentury Walnut Mirror by Strata for Unagusta
By Unagusta
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Midcentury walnut mirror by Strata for Unagusta, sleek modern mirror, with inset 31"x 49" clear mirror. Can be hung horizontally or vertically.
Mirror, Walnut
Rosewood Wall Mirror by Torbjørn Afdal for Bruksbo
By Bruksbo
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A finely crafted and proportioned wall mirror having a circular mirror centered in an expressive Brazilian rosewood frame with raised and beveled side rails.
Rosewood
Midcentury Brutalist Mirror by Lane
By Lane Furniture
Located in Atlanta, GA
Midcentury Brutalist mirror by Lane, American, circa 1960s. This piece retains it's original medium brown finish. If you prefer, we can re...
Mirror, Walnut, Wood
$3,917Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 72.84 in W 37.41 in D 7.88 in
MARLENE Wall Mirror, by Philippe Starck with S. Schito for Glas Italia IN STOCK
By Philippe Starck, Glas Italia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
MAR03 Marlene wall mirror is shown here in the white back finish. A collection of elegant wall mirrors, created by bending a slab of extralight 6 mm. glass, molded and shiny ground p...
Mirror
Kandissa Mirror by Alessandro Mendini for Gruppo Alchimia, Italy
By Gruppo Alchimia, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Milan, Italy
Kandissa mirror in lacquered wood designed by Alessandro Mendini for Gruppo Alchimia, about 2000. Exhibited at the show Alchimismo, Frigoriferi Milanesi, Milan 2011. Biography In 1976 Alessandro and Adriana Guerriero established Alchimia, the first example of manufacturing designers in Milan. In 1978 and 1979 they presented the Bau haus and Bau haus II collections. Lamps, armchairs, chairs, tables, cabinets, and so on. Artists involved: Alessandro Mendini, Ettore Sottsass, Bruno and Giorgio Gregori, Michele De Lucchi, Andrea Branzi, UFO, Paola Navone, Daniela Puppa, Franco Raggi. The prevalent decorative material is laminated plastic. Alchimia’s culture, which is against the Italian design (Casabella magazine) changes the base of all previous design theories, resulting in a profound and radical change in the mindset of architects. Visual Alphabets, Redesign, Trivial Design, Cosmetics and Sentimental Robot are the slogans underlying the exuberant and vast production of Alchimia city. In the theoretical manifesto of the group, Alessandro Mendini writes “Alchimia is not interested in disciplines because they are considered to be within their rules. Indeed, it is important to look into the existing large free spaces between them. Alchimia weighs the assumption that conception and confused production methods should coexist where craftsmanship, manufacturing, information technology, techniques and current and obsolete materials can get mixed up. “They are handcrafted objects, recycled, mass, improbable, provocative, Kitsch, all very theory-laden. It operates and experiences in many sectors: the Pensione Ideale (Franco Raggi), the Copertine di Domus (Occhiomagico), the Abito Sonoro and the performance of Persone Dipinte (Anna Gili), the Stilismo della Moda (Cinzia Ruggeri...
Glass, Wood
Wall Mirror by Nanda Vigo and Alessandro Mendini, Italy, 1990s
By Alessandro Mendini, Nanda Vigo
Located in Brussels, BE
Wall mirror by Nanda Vigo and Alessandro Mendini, Italy, 1990s.
Glass
"Lesena" Alessando Mendini for Glass Italia Design Wall Mirror
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Brescia, IT
The Lesena wall mounted mirror was designed by Alessandro Mendini for the prestigious Glas Italia in Macherio, Italy. The Lesena mirror is a Silhouette of virtual architectural com...
Mirror
Alessandro Mendini, Kandissa Mirror for Gruppo Alchimia, Italy
By Gruppo Alchimia, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Milan, Italy
Kandissa mirror in lacquered wood designed by Alessandro Mendini for Gruppo Alchimia, about 2000. Exhibited at the show Alchimismo, Frigoriferi Milanesi, Milan 2011. Biography I...
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 49 in W 36.25 in D 1 in
2000 Alessandro Mendini for Glas Italia Postmodern Orange Yellow Brown Mirror
By Glas Italia, Alessandro Mendini
Located in New York, NY
Shapes, decorations, colors: 3 omnipresent statements in Alessandro Mendini’s work. This is a fun cloud shaped modern design mirror for Glas Italia with a transfer see-through polychrome postmodern...
Crystal
1988 Mirror by Alessandro Mendini and Alessandro Guerriero
By Alessandro Mendini, Alessandro Guerriero
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
1988 mirror by Alessandro Mendini and Alessandro Guerriero of the collection Ollo, edited by Alchimia. with a frame in yell...
Mirror