Terence Conran

Terence Conran

Terence Conran (4 October 1931 – 12 September 2020) was a renowned British designer, restaurateur, retailer, and writer. He is best known for founding the Habitat retail chain, which brought modern design to the British high street.

Early Life and Education

Terence Orby Conran was born in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey. He was educated at the Central School of Art and Design, where he studied textile design.

Career

Conran started his professional career with a job in the Festival of Britain in 1951. He established his own design practice, Conran Design Group, in 1956. In 1964, he opened the first Habitat shop in Chelsea, London, which became influential in shaping the UK's 1960s pop culture and way of life.

In 1973, Conran expanded his retail ventures by establishing the Storehouse plc, which included other retail chains such as Mothercare, Heals, and Richards Shops. He also founded The Conran Shop in 1974, which expanded internationally.

In addition to his retail ventures, Conran had a significant impact on the UK restaurant scene. He opened his first restaurant, the Soup Kitchen, in 1953. He went on to establish a number of influential restaurants including the Orrery, Quaglino's, and Bibendum.

Conran was also a prolific writer, having written over 50 books on design and interiors.

Legacy

Conran's influence on British design and lifestyle is significant. He played a key role in popularising modern design in Britain in the post-war period. His retail ventures, particularly Habitat, had a profound impact on the way people furnished their homes.

In 1989, he founded the Design Museum in London, which is the first museum in the world to showcase design of the modern era.

Personal Life

Conran was married four times and had five children. He was knighted in 1983 for his services to design.

See Also

• Habitat (retailer)
• Design Museum
• Storehouse plc

External Links

• [Official website]
• [Design Museum]
• [Habitat]