Born in Innsbruck in 1917 and raised in Turin, Ettore Sottsass emerged as one of the most radical and influential voices in 20th-century design. After graduating from the Polytechnic University of Turin in 1939 and surviving World War II, he began his career renovating war-damaged buildings before moving to Milan, where he immersed himself in the city’s vibrant artistic and literary circles.

Sottsass’s early work spanned painting, ceramics, and interiors, but his breakthrough came in 1958 when he joined Olivetti as a design consultant. There, he transformed everyday office objects—like the now-iconic Valentine typewriter—into bold cultural statements. His designs, marked by vibrant colors and sculptural forms, blurred the boundaries between art and industry, and earned him international acclaim, including the prestigious Compasso d’Oro.

Deeply influenced by his travels in India and the U.S., Sottsass began exploring more conceptual, almost spiritual approaches to design. His “Superboxes” and altar-like ceramics challenged consumer culture and laid the groundwork for what would become the Memphis Movement. Founded in 1981 with a group of young designers, Memphis Milano rejected functionalism in favor of emotion, symbolism, and radical decoration. With its bright colors, playful forms, and layered references—from Art Deco to Pop Art—the group redefined the aesthetics of everyday life.

Sottsass designed some of Memphis’s most iconic works, including the Carlton room divider and Casablanca cabinet, as well as glass vases like Anake and Alioth, all of which exemplify his embrace of traditional craftsmanship through a radically modern lens.

Beyond Memphis, Sottsass continued to challenge conventions through architecture, furniture, and writing, always viewing design as a way to question life, society, and the human condition. His legacy lives on in museums, design collections, and in the continued relevance of his radical vision.