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products that was prevalent during the 1970’s. Created to be a deliberate fad, The Memphis
philosophy was not to create designs which were necessarily visually appealing to all people, but to
break down the barriers that existed between high class and low class design (Italy Chronicles 2010).
“This was design as cultural criticism, rather than as a functional tool or statement of modernist
intent”. (Glancey,2001).

The Memphis movement was short lived, only lasting from 1981 to 1987. The radical and ground
breaking principles which Memphis incited into the design world still have a lasting influence today.

In 2011, influences of Memphis could be seen in Christian Dior haute couture’s Fall Collection. Pastel
colours and bold prints were used in his designs along with glossy, cubed headwear. Ettore Sottsass
was also present at the show.

Milan Design Week in 2014 saw a return of Memphis style patterns emerging from the designer

Natalie du Pesquera. Her graphics have been used in major brands such as American Apparel and La
Chance

The Kartell store launched a tribute to Memphis in 2015 (Design Museum,2016)

Ettore Sottsass: Born in Innsbruck in 1917. He studied architecture at Polytechnic di Torino where he
graduated in 1939 and soon after he joined the Italian Army. After the war he started designing
furniture and house interiors (Glancey, 2001). In 1981 he founded the Memphis group. Sottsass ded
i
in 2007 at the age of 90 years old (Memphis Milano, 2016).
Michele de Lucchi: Born in 1951. He studied architecture in Florence. He was part of key movements
such as Cavart, Alchymia and Memphis. He has designed furniture for some of the most popular
European and American companies. In 1992 he became design director for Olivetti until 2002.

He has designed many buildings Europe and Asia. In 1990 he founded his own small production
company. From 2004 he has been making small wooden houses, sculpted using a chainsaw.
Many of his products are shown in museums in Japan, Europe and the US (aMDL Michele De Lucch i
studio, no date).

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