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British designer Sir Terence Conran died at the age of 88, and his family described him as a “visionary.”
In a statement issued through the Design Museum, his family said he “passed away peacefully today at his home in Barton Court.”
They added: “Sir Terence, a proud patriot, promoted the best of British design, culture and the arts around the world and at the heart of everything he did was the very simple belief that good design improves the quality of life of people.
Sir Terence was known for opening the first Habitat store and his work was celebrated in an exhibition at the Museum of Fashion and Textile in 2019.
“From the late 1940s to the present, his energy and creativity thrived in his shops, restaurants, bars, cafes and hotels and through his many design, architecture and furniture manufacturing businesses.
“The founding of the Design Museum in London was one of his proudest moments and, through his efforts, he remained a tireless champion of the importance of education for young people in the creative industries.
“Sir Terence fully enjoyed an extraordinary life and always maintained that his work never felt like work; everything he did for business he would have done for pleasure.
“In his private life he was adored by his family and friends and we will miss him very much.
“We are comforted to know that many of you will cry with us, but we ask you to celebrate Terence’s extraordinary legacy and contribution to the country he loved so much.”
Born in Kingston upon Thames in 1931, he began his career manufacturing and selling furniture in London.
He then opened restaurants throughout the capital before launching Habitat in 1964, with his third wife, Caroline Herbert.
The designer (center) is kissed by his son, Jasper, while his wife Vicki watches
That store grew into a large chain known for selling home furnishings and furniture with contemporary designs.
He received a knighthood in 1983 for his design services.
Tim Marlow, Director and CEO of the Design Museum, said: “Terence conran He was instrumental in the redesign of post-war Britain and his legacy is enormous.
“He is revered by generations of designers from Mary Quant and David Mellor to Thomas Heatherwick and Jonny Ive.
“It changed the way we lived, bought and ate. He also created a great institution, the Museum of Design, of which he was justifiably proud and to which he remained fully committed until the end of his extraordinary life.
Prince Charles talks to Sir Terence Conran in 2018
“It was a privilege and an inspiration to meet him.”
Lord Mandelson, Chairman of the Design Museum’s Board of Directors, said: “Terence Conran has filled our lives for generations with ideas, innovation and brilliant design.
“He is one of the most iconic figures of post-war Britain, and he began to reshape the world of design when, as a young man, he joined the team that worked at the 1951 Festival of Britain and never stopped after that moment.
“Leave a treasure of industrial and domestic design that will remain with us forever.”
And MP Barry Sheerman tweeted: “Terence Conran was a design legend and brilliant entrepreneur. I enjoyed working with him promoting design and the education of young designers with the Parliamentary Group on Design Policy-Connect.”
He is survived by his wife Vicki and their children Sebastian, Jasper, Tom, Sophie and Edmund.
