To many people, postmodern design is synonymous with the Memphis Group. This Italian collaborative created the most radical and attention-getting designs of the period, upending most of the accepted standards of how furniture should look. Today, the Memphis Milano brand, which is managed by Alberto Bianchi Albrici, still produces designs created by the group between 1981 and 1988.
The Memphis story begins in 1980, when Ettore Sottsass, then a beacon of Italian postmodernism, tapped a coterie of younger designers to develop a collection for the Milan Furniture Fair the next year, determined that all the new furniture they were then seeing was boring. Their mission: Boldly reject the stark minimalism of the 1970s and shatter the rules of form and function. (Sottsass’s Ultrafragola mirror, designed in 1970, embodied many of what would become the collective’s postmodern ideals.)
The group decided to design, produce and market their own collection, one that wouldn’t be restricted by concerns like functionality and so-called good taste. Its debut, at Milan’s 1981 Salone del Mobile, drew thousands of viewers and caused a major stir in design circles.
So as a record of Bob Dylan’s “Stuck Inside of Mobile” played on repeat, they took their name from the song, devised their marketing strategy and plotted the postmodern look that would come to define the decade of excess — primary colors, blown-up proportions, playful nods to Art Deco and Pop art. A high-low mix of materials also helped define Memphis, as evidenced by Javier Mariscal’s pastel serving trays, which feature laminate veneer — a material previously used only in kitchens — as well as Shiro Kuramata’s Nara and Kyoto tables made from colored glass-infused terrazzo.
An image of Sottsass posing with his collaborators in a conversation pit shaped like a boxing ring appeared in magazines all over the world, and Karl Lagerfield furnished his Monte Carlo penthouse entirely in Memphis furniture. Meanwhile, members like Andrea Branzi, Aldo Cibic, Michele de Lucchi, Nathalie du Pasquier, Kuramata, Paola Navone, Peter Shire, George Sowden, Sottsass and his wife, journalist Barbara Radice, went on to enjoy fruitful careers.
Some people think of the Milan-based collective as the design equivalent to Patrick Nagel’s kitschy screenprints, but for others Memphis represents what made the early 1980s so great: freedom of expression, dizzying patterns and off-the-wall colors.
Eventually, the Reagan era gave way to cool 1990s minimalism, and Memphis fell out of fashion. Sottsass left the group in 1985, and by 1987, it had disbanded. Yet decades later, Memphis is back and can be traced to today’s most exciting designers.
“As someone who was born in the 1980s, Memphis at times feels like the grown-up, artsy version of the toys I used to play with,” says Shaun Kasperbauer, cofounder of the Brooklyn studio Souda. “It feels a little nostalgic, but at the same time it seems like an aesthetic that’s perfectly suited to an internet age — loud, colorful and utilizing forms that are graphic and often a little unexpected.”
Find a collection of Memphis Milano seating, tables, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Peter Shire "Bel Air" Italian Armchair in wool and wood for Memphis Milano
By Peter Shire, Memphis Milano
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
The Concept & Inspiration Designed by Peter Shire in 1982, the "Bel Air" armchair is a flamboyant homage to the American West Coast and California surf culture. The chair's striking ...
Wool, Wood
Big Sur Wooden Couch, by Peter Shire for Memphis Milano Collection
By Peter Shire, Memphis Group, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Big Sur couch is made out of 100% wool, and the structure is in lacquered wood. The couch was originally designed in 1986 by Peter Shire for Memphis M...
Wool, Wood
Italian modern chair Riviera by Michele de Lucchi for Memphis, 1981
By Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern chair Riviera by Michele de Lucchi for Memphis, 1981 Riviera chair with square seat and backrest, padded and upholstered in pink fabric with wooden frame covered in wh...
Metal
$4,873Sale Price|55% Off
Bel Air Armchair by Peter Shire, Memphis Milano
By Peter Shire, Memphis Milano
Located in Milano, Lombardia
La poltrona Bel Air di Peter Shire, prodotta da Memphis Milano è un pezzo di design unico che rappresenta l'audacia e l'originalità del movimento Memphis. Questo esemplare è stato p...
Cotton, Wood
Italian chaise longue Juan by Marco Panini for Memphis, 1987
By Marco Zanini, Memphis Milano
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian chaise longue Juan by Marco Panini for Memphis, 1987 Chaise longue model Juan in wood and suede. The frame is made of white lacquered wood, while the padded seat, upholstered...
Metal
Lido Sofa by Michele De Lucchi For Memphis Milano, 1982.
By Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Kansas City, MO
"Lido" sofa / loveseat / settee designed by Michele De Lucchi For Memphis Milano, 1982. This early example retains the original fabric and finish in very good condition. An icon of...
Metal
Memphis Milano Michele De Lucchi Stuhl Midcentury First chair
By Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen Armlehnstuhl vom italienischen Premiumhersteller Memphis Milano aus den 1980er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Die Oberflächen der Sitz- und Rückenlehnen wurden...
Metal
First Wood and Metal Chair, by Michele De Lucchi for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The First chair in enameled wood and metal, was originally designed in 1983 by Michele De Lucchi. Michele De Lucchi was born in 1951 in Ferrara and graduated in architecture in Florence. During the period of radical and experimental architecture he was a prominent figure in movements like Cavart, Alchymia and Memphis. His architectural designs have been mainly for office buildings in Japan, in Germany, in Switzerland and in Italy. He has taken care of numerous art and design exhibitions and has planned buildings for museums as Triennale di Milano, Palazzo delle Esposizioni di Roma and Neues Museum...
Metal
Early Memphis Milano ‘First Chair’ by Michele de Lucchi, 1983
By Michele de Lucchi, Memphis Milano
Located in VENLO, NL
Early and original ‘First Chair’ from 1983, designed by Michele De Lucchi for Memphis Milano. This example was included in the major Memphis exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum Amster...
Metal
"Tawaraya Ring" Daybed or Boxing Ring by Masanori Umeda for Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Masanori Umeda
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Masanori Umeda for Memphis Milano, the monumental Tawaraya Ring (1981) stands among the most celebrated, radical, and recognizable masterpiec...
Metal
Glouchester chair by George Sowden for Memphis Milano
By George Sowden, Memphis Milano
Located in Ravenna, IT
This rare piece sold with certificate of authenticity. The chair was designed by George Sowden for Memphis Milano in 1986. As with many pieces in the Memphis collection, the name of ...
Wood
"Tawaraya Ring 2x2" Daybed or Boxing Ring by Masanori Umeda for Memphis Milano
By Masanori Umeda, Memphis Milano
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Designed by Masanori Umeda for Memphis Milano, Tawaraya Ring 2×2 stands among the most iconic and recognizable creations of radical Italian design. Beyon...
Metal
Palace Wood Chair, by George Sowden for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Group, George Sowden, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Palace chair in colored lacquered wood, designed in 1983, by George Sowden. George Sowden was born in Leeds, UK in 1942. He studied architecture at Glou...
Wood
Memphis Milano Palace Chair by George Sowden, Post-Modern Design
By George Sowden, Memphis Milano
Located in Toronto, ON
The solemnity and essentiality of Palace by George J. Sowden make this chair a true icon of the silent transformation of Memphis. Palace reinterprets the rationalist forms of design ...
Wood, Lacquer
Riviera Chair in Plastic Laminate Memphis Milano Collection
By Michele de Lucchi, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Riviera chair in plastic laminate with cushions covered for Memphis Milano collection Additional Information: Chair in plastic laminate with cushions...
Plastic
Italian chaise longue Juan by Marco Panini for Memphis, 1987
By Memphis Milano, Marco Zanini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian chaise longue Juan by Marco Panini for Memphis, 1987 Chaise longue model Juan in wood and suede. The frame is made of white lacquered wood, while the padded seat, upholstered...
Metal
Palace Chair by George Sowden for Memphis, Milano, Blue, Green, Yellow, Black
By George Sowden, Memphis Milano
Located in Kansas City, MO
George Sowden for Memphis "Palace Chair", 1983. Multicolor form with arms. Completely original with very few signs of use.
Wood
Italian chaise longue Juan by Marco Panini for Memphis, 1987
By Marco Zanini, Memphis Milano
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian chaise longue Juan by Marco Panini for Memphis, 1987 Chaise longue model Juan in wood and suede. The frame is made of white lacquered wood, while the padded seat, upholstered...
Metal
Italian modern Green wood black metal chair Kim by De Lucchi for Memphis, 1980s
By Michele de Lucchi, Memphis Milano
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Green wood and black metal Chair mod. Kim by Michele De Lucchi for Memphis, 1980s Fantastic chair mod. Kim with the seat and the back in bright green painted wood. The...
Metal
Italian modern formica Regent chairs by Martine Bedin for Memphis, 1980s
By Martine Bedin, Memphis Milano
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern formica Regent chairs by Martine Bedin for Memphis, 1980s Pair of Regent chairs with rounded seats and backrests, made of wood covered in gray-black Formica. The frame...
Metal
1980ies Palace chair designed by George Sowden for Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, George Sowden
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
1980ies Memphis Milano Palace chair in colored lacquered wood designed by George Sowden, 1983. George Sowden studied architecture at Glouc...
Plywood
Kim Chair by Michele de Lucchi for Memphis-Milano, 1980s
By Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Renens, CH
The Kim chair was designed by the Italian architect Michele de Lucchi in 1987: De Lucchi was one of the co-founders of the Postmodern design group Memphis, headed by Ettore Sottsass....
Steel
Roma Green Armchair, by Marco Zanini for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Group, Marco Zanini, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Roma Green Armchair in fiberglass with iridescent finish, designed by Marco Zanini in 1985. Marco Zanini was born in Trento in 1954. He graduated in architecture at the University o...
Fiberglass
Nathalie Du Pasquier "Royal" Daybed / Chaise Longue for Memphis Milano
By Nathalie du Pasquier, Memphis Milano
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
The Concept & Inspiration Designed by Nathalie Du Pasquier in 1983 for Memphis Milano, "Royal" makes a clean break with the traditional notion of the sofa, offering an eccentric, avant-garde vision of décor that is provocative and entirely outside the box. Du Pasquier assembles a bold collage of different Memphis fabrics, covering a sort of chaise longue with inflated, sculptural proportions. Her visionary approach leads to the creation of overlapping “colored quilts,” headed towards a shipwreck of the senses. As a symbol of anti-design and boundary-pushing creativity, this highly collectible masterpiece perfectly encapsulates the radical, convention-defying spirit of the Postmodern movement. Material Excellence & Craftsmanship This exceptional piece is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, reflecting the ongoing artisanal production by Memphis Milano that guarantees the authenticity of their historical pieces. Structure: Solid wooden chaise longue...
Fabric, Laminate
Michele De Lucchi "First" Postmodern Chair for Memphis Milano, Italy 1983
By Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Beirut, LB
An undisputed icon of 1980s Postmodern design, the "First" Chair was designed by Michele De Lucchi in 1983 for the avant-garde Memphis Milano collective. Blurring the boundaries betw...
Metal
George J. Sowden "Oberoj" Italian Armchair in fabric for Memphis Milano
By George Sowden, Memphis Milano
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
The Concept & Inspiration Designed by George J. Sowden in 1981, the "Oberoj" armchair is a quintessential piece from the inaugural Memphis Milano collection, embodying the movement's...
Fabric
Dublin Couch by Marco Zanini for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Marco Zanini
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Dublin couch in plastic, metal and fabric by Marco Zanini for Memphis Milano collection Additional information: Couch in plastic laminate, metal and no...
Plastic
Memphis Milano First Chair by Michele de Lucchi, Metal & Wood Design
By Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Toronto, ON
With First, Michele De Lucchi seems to pay homage to Alexander Calder in the lightness and mobility of the forms. The seat was designed to be easily assembled and replicated: manufac...
Metal
Italian modern metal and wood chair First by Michele de Lucchi for Memphis, 1983
By Michele de Lucchi, Memphis Milano
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern metal and wood chair First by Michele de Lucchi for Memphis, 1983 Chair model First in metal and wood. The frame is made of gray painted metal. The blue backrest, blac...
Metal
Ettore Sottsass "Westside (Three-Seater)" Italian Sofa for Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
The Concept & Inspiration Designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1983 for Memphis Milano, the "Westside (Three-Seater)" sofa is a striking embodiment of the revolutionary Postmodern design m...
Metal
Memphis Milano "Riviera" Italian Wood and fabric Chair by Michele De Lucchi Pink
By Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
The Concept & Inspiration Designed by Michele De Lucchi for the inaugural Memphis group exhibition in 1981, the "Riviera" chair is a stunning example of playful, avant-garde design. ...
Fabric, Wood
Memphis Milano "Palace" Postmodern Luxury Chair by George J. Sowden
By George Sowden, Memphis Milano
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
The Concept & Inspiration Designed by George J. Sowden in 1983, the "Palace" chair represents a profound moment in the evolution of the Memphis Milano movement. It stands as a true i...
Wood
Memphis Milano "Big Sur" Postmodern Luxury Sofa in fabric by Peter Shire
By Peter Shire, Memphis Milano
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
The Concept & Inspiration Designed by Peter Shire in 1986, the "Big Sur" sofa is a spectacular embodiment of the designer's philosophy: "Imagine throwing geometric objects in the air...
Fabric, Wood
Nathalie chair designed by Nathalie du Pasquier for Memphis Milano ca. 1990
By Memphis Milano, Nathalie du Pasquier
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
Nathalie chair designed by Nathalie du Pasquier for Memphis Milano, 1987 Manufactured by Memphis Milano, circa 1990 The French artist and designer Nathalie du Pasquier was one of t...
Steel, Chrome
Michele De Lucchi "First" Postmodern Wooden lacquered Chair for Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
The Concept & Inspiration Designed by Michele De Lucchi in 1983 for Memphis Milano, the "First" chair quickly established itself as an iconic and sculptural piece of furniture. A pro...
Wood
Italian modern formica Regent chair by Martine Bedin for Memphis, 1980s
By Memphis Milano, Martine Bedin
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern formica Regent chair by Martine Bedin for Memphis, 1980s Regent chair with rounded seats and backrests, made of wood covered in gray-black Formica. The frame, legs and...
Metal
Marco Zanini "Dublin" (Special Edition) Sofa for Memphis Milano Limited edition
By Marco Zanini, Memphis Milano
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
The Concept & Inspiration Designed by Marco Zanini in 1981 for Memphis Milano, the "Dublin" sofa is a striking embodiment of the revolutionary Postmodern design movement characterize...
Metal
Marco Zanini "Dublin" Luxury Italian Sofa for Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Marco Zanini
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
The Concept & Inspiration Designed by Marco Zanini in 1981 for Memphis Milano, the "Dublin" sofa is a striking embodiment of the revolutionary Postmodern design movement. Breaking aw...
Metal
Ettore Sottsass "Westside (Two-Seater)" Italian Sofa for Memphis Milano
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
The Concept & Inspiration Designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1983 for Memphis Milano, the "Westside (Two-Seater)" sofa is a striking embodiment of the revolutionary Postmodern design mov...
Metal
Ettore Sottsass "Westside" Luxury Italian Armchair for Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
The Concept & Inspiration Designed by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano, the "Westside" armchair is a striking embodiment of the revolutionary Postmodern design movement. Inspired b...
Metal
Michele De Lucchi "Riviera" Italian Wood and fabric Chair for Memphis Milano Blu
By Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
The Concept & Inspiration Designed by Michele De Lucchi for the inaugural Memphis group exhibition in 1981, the "Riviera" chair is a stunning example of playful, avant-garde design. ...
Fabric, Wood
Memphis Milano "Roma" Postmodern Italian Fiberglass Armchair Marco Zanini/Green
By Memphis Milano, Marco Zanini
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
The Concept & Inspiration Designed by Marco Zanini in 1986, the "Roma" armchair is a striking homage to the architecture and monuments of the Eternal City. Its massive, solid, and sq...
Fiberglass
Memphis Milano "Roma" Postmodern Italian Fiberglass Armchair by Marco Zanini
By Memphis Milano, Marco Zanini
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
The Concept & Inspiration Designed by Marco Zanini in 1986, the "Roma" armchair is a striking homage to the architecture and monuments of the Eternal City. Its massive, solid, and sq...
Fiberglass
Memphis Milano "Oberoj Red" Luxury Armchair by George J. Sowden Limited Edition
By George Sowden, Memphis Milano
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
The Concept & Inspiration Designed by Memphis co-founder George J. Sowden in 1981, the "Oberoj" armchair—named after the luxury hotel group in New Delhi—is a quintessential icon of 1...
Cotton