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 (opens in new tab), who in collaboration with Studio Pepe (opens in new tab), 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 (opens in new tab), Gino Sarfatti, Franco Albini and BBPR (opens in new tab), 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.
Fragile's storefront, just two blocks from Milan's Piazza San Babila. Inside, the ornate white lattice railing and a giant, multi-coloured puzzle painted floor, were both designed by the architect
From the top right: a set of four glass 1950s appliques by Venini and (below) a 1960s floor lamp by Reggiani. The tile mosaic design (pictured centre) is by Mendini
Downstairs, this couch was designed as a one-of-a-kind piece by Studio BBPR for the offices of Belsana in Milan in 1944. The shelf cabinets (behind) are another one-of-a-kind pair designed by Paolo Buffa for Casa Borri in 1943
The 'Bul-bo' lamp was designed by Gabetti & Isola in 1969. The 'Triangular container system' (right) was designed by Joe Colombo for Elco in 1968 and the steel sculpture (centre), was designed by the artist Nino Mustica in 2011
From the left: The shelf cabinets are a one-of-a-kind pair designed by Paolo Buffa for Casa Borri in 1943. The 'Triennale' lamp was designed by Vittoriano Viganò, and produced by Arredoluce in 1947. Right: A pair of armchairs, a 1950s Italian steel 'Luar' table designed by Ross Littell and produced by ICF in 1972. On the table: 1950s Italia 'Stilnovo' lamp, and behind: 'Dalia' wall lamp, designed by Giuseppe Marotta abd produced by Poltronova, 1968
This pink room showcases a 1950s 'Stilnovo' lamp and 'Ellisse' table designed by Claudio Salocchi for Sormani 1968. On the table is a painted wood sculpture by Nino Mustica
The left image features a 1950s 'Ico Parisi' table, pair of 'Lambda' chairs designed Marco Zanuso and produced by Gavina in 1964 and a 'Bip Bip' lamp designed by Achille Castiglioni and produced by Flos in 1976. The right image showcases 'Barbariche' lamps by Roberto Giulio Rida from 2011, a 1950s Italian 'Etagère' bookcase and a Damien Hirst deck chair from 2008
This scene features a pair of armchairs designed by BBPR for Belsana in 1944 and a floor lamp (right) by Angelo Lelii from 1948
In addition to its rare furnishings, the gallery also features 20th century jewellery and decorative ornaments
ADDRESS
Via San Damiano 2, Milan Italy
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