Mendini’s new gallery Fragile is anything but the minimal Milanese norm
When Fragile opened the doors to its pink and sea-foam green walled space just prior to the holidays, the discreet restraint of Milan's minimal design gallery scene went up in smoke. The fire was stoked by Alessandro and Francesco Mendini of Atelier Mendini, who in collaboration with Studio Pepe, lavished this new space in fantastic colour and pattern.
Frosted with an ornate white lattice railing and a giant, multi-coloured puzzle painted floor, both designed by the architect Alessandro Mendini, the two-storey gallery shakes with vibrancy and levity. Yet despite the lighthearted surroundings, Fragile is a gallery brimming with some very serious design.
Sitting just two blocks from Milan's Piazza San Babila, the gallery features rare pieces from Italian mid-century darlings such as Giò Ponti, Gino Sarfatti, Franco Albini and BBPR, as well as an unconventional mix of brash contemporary designs and vintage jewellery. Though Fragile has operated under the scenes by its owner Alessandro Padoan for several years, this is the first bold 200 square meter store front for the gallery in Milan.
ADDRESS
Via San Damiano 2, Milan Italy
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
JJ Martin
-
Serenade your senses at Farasha Farmhouse in Marrakech
Farasha Farmhouse is a serene escape hidden on the outer reaches of Marrakech
By Nicola Chilton Published
-
‘Bio-spaces’ exhibition at Roca London Gallery celebrates biophilic design
‘Bio-Spaces: regenerative, resilient futures’ opens at the Roca London Gallery as ‘a call to action to stop designing nature out’
By Clare Dowdy Published
-
Les Lalanne’s surreal world takes over Venice
‘Planète Lalanne’, presented by Ben Brown Fine Arts, takes over Palazzo Rota Ivancich, with a cast of blue hippos, woolly sheep and giant grasshoppers
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Romanengo is Milan’s new sweet spot
Romanengo, the oldest Italian confectionery, opens its doors in Milan with interiors by Madrid-based architects Cousi Interiorismo
By Ifeoluwa Adedeji Published
-
Vipp Palazzo pop-up hotel opens inside Brescia’s historical Palazzo Monti
Scandi minimalism meets Baroque maximalism in Vipp Palazzo, a pop-up hotel by the Danish brand in the heart of Brescia
By Rosa Bertoli Published
-
B&B Italia celebrates 15 years of outdoor furniture
From a woven design by Patricia Urquiola to an aeroplane-inspired collection by Piero Lissoni: we look back on exceptional B&B Italia outdoor furniture
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Michele De Lucchi unveils latest furniture design for Stellar Works
Italian designer Michele De Lucchi and Stellar Works present a new furniture collaboration consisting of a modular sofa with a floating silhouette that merges Italian and Japanese design sensibilities
By Cristina Kiran Piotti Last updated
-
Marble table pushes the boundaries of furniture manufacturing
The sinuous forms of Roberto Lazzeroni's Infinito table for Poltrona Frau are defined by a rare marble and an innovative design approach
By Alice Morby Last updated
-
Luigi Caccia Dominioni’s iconic chairs for Azucena get a chromatic update
Azucena and Serapian collaborate to instill new life into Luigi Caccia Dominioni's Catilina chair, a legendary design now updated with a distinctive leather mosaic motif
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
All aboard! Immersive design museum on a cruise ship celebrates Italian icons
The mobile museum is housed inside one of Italian company Costa Smeralda's cruiseship, featuring a selection of design icons and a futuristic set by Tihany Design
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Natuzzi and ByBorre's Mediterranean-inspired upholstery fabrics
Italian furniture company Natuzzi joined forces with Dutch textile innovator Borre Akkersdijk to create a collection of textile upholstery to complement Natuzzi furniture collections
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated