Mr. Sottsass dismantled the group in 1988, and the brand was then acquired by Ernesto Gismondi, owner of Artemide, and later Alberto Bianchi Albrici, who bought it in 1996 because, he said, “I was young and stupid and an incurable optimist.”
This May, Mr. Albrici put Memphis back in the spotlight, by creating an online store to sell about 100 of the pieces, including Michele De Lucchi’s tubular steel First chair ($1,147), right. All the pieces have been in continuous production.
The designers will all receive royalties, and Mr. Albrici said that he has their enthusiastic support. “They are satisfied,” he said. “Not for the royalties, but because Memphis is still alive.” Information: memphis-milano.it.
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