Alchimia, Memphis and Alessi

Milan became the capital of postmodernism.

Studio Alchimia from 1976 and Memphis from 1981 made furniture in laminate and bright colours. Ettore Sottsass led Memphis, and Alessandro Mendini repainted classic chairs.

Alessi invited architects to design kettles and services, and the kettles of Richard Sapper and Michael Graves became symbols of the 1980s.