Alessandro Mendini

Born in Milan in 1931, former director of Casabella, Modo and Domus, winner of a Compasso d'Oro and designer of the Groninger Museum in Groningen, the Casino in Arosa, the Forum in Omegna, he is a designer, architect and image consultant for Philips, Swarovski, Swatch, and Bisazza.

What Alessi say about Mendini:
"It's really difficult for me to describe the relationship between Alessandro Mendini and me/the Alessi company. I could say that he has been something of a mentor for me, with a vaguely Socratic inspiration, gradually introducing me to all the mysteries of our fascinating profession. I believe that our relationship is of particular interest for anyone who wishes to delve deeper into the phenomenon of the Italian design factory, especially the relationships between creativity in the pure sense of the term, art, business and design management. When people ask me what Mendini does for us, what his role is, I just smile. Alessandro's consulting work covers such a wide range of aspects that his position cannot really be described or even understood by an outsider (even though, perhaps the closest example of a similar relationship is that between Peter Behrens and Walter Rathenau's AEG at the beginning of the century).

As the author of Paesaggio casalingo, he is the official historian of the Alessi company. As a designer, he continues to come up with objects for us, which often are to be found in the most difficult and exciting areas of our catalogues.

As an architect, he has designed for us my home, two additions to the Crusinallo factory, the Alessi Museum, the complex display system for the new Alessi showrooms and various exhibitions. As a design manager, he is responsible for conceiving and overseeing some of our renowned design projects. As a journalist, he has written books for us. As a consultant, he has introduced me to a large number of designers who have worked for us. As a close friend, he is aware of our most intimate problems and aspirations ... and he is all of these things in an exquisitely informal way, in essence he manages to cover all these roles without being around all the time since over the years we have achieved a working affinity, a relationship that is almost telepathic..."