Key Designers
Memphis was a truly international collective, bringing together architects and designers from across the globe. Founded on December 6, 1980, when Ettore Sottsass invited a group of young designers and architects to discuss the future of design, the collective became a creative powerhouse that challenged every convention of modernism. Together, they produced over a hundred radical drawings in just three months, launching a movement that would redefine postmodern design.
Founding Figures
Ettore Sottsass
Founder + LeaderThe visionary founder and leader of the Memphis Group, Sottsass is now recognized as one of the most influential Italian post-war designers. His Carlton Room Divider and Casablanca Bookcase became iconic symbols of the movement. Sottsass left the group in 1985 to focus on his design and architecture firm, Sottsass Associati, but his impact on postmodern design remains unparalleled.
Martine Bedin
Lighting DesignerA French designer who joined Memphis in her twenties, Bedin was put in charge of overseeing all Memphis lighting production. Her father's engineering background and her own tendency for "playing with forbidden things" shaped her unique approach. Her Super lamp on wheels, first designed in 1978, represented "friend-like" objects—playful, approachable designs that brought warmth to the radical aesthetic. Her first prototype is now featured in the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
Peter Shire
Sculptor + PotterAn American sculptor, designer, and potter from California, Shire was discovered through Wet: The Magazine of Gourmet Bathing, a west coast lifestyle publication. His irreverent attitude toward design conventions made him a perfect fit for Memphis.
Nathalie Du Pasquier
Pattern DesignerA French-born designer known for her bold Memphis-esque patterns, Du Pasquier continued the Memphis legacy long after the group disbanded in 1987. She has collaborated with contemporary brands including Danish company HAY (designing patterned bags in 2013) and American Apparel, bringing the Memphis aesthetic to new generations of design enthusiasts.
The Complete Roster
Memphis included contributions from many international architects and designers: