Alessandro Mendini was born in Milan, Italy in 1931. His products are based on careful thought, intellectual rigour and considerable historical knowledge. He was considered a symbol of the modern age and also an eccentric figure of revolutionary design culture. His designs were controversial and created passionate discussions about design. He wrote many articles and is highly associated with the concepts of Redesign (combining existing designs) and Banal Design (how everyday objects can inspire new design).
Mendini believed in using decoration and elaborate ornamentation in his designs which are the antithesis of functional designs. His controversial design for the Groningen Museum in the Netherlands was highly colorful and decorative. His Proust armchair is covered in colorful patterns and grids, and his Kandissi sofa also uses many colors and has many distinct parts to it. He also created vases for Venini, furniture for Zanotta, watches for Swatch, and his famous Anna G and Alessandro M corkscrew figures for Alessi.