The Conran Shop

Simple functionality, well-considered design and an eye for originality have been at the core of The Conran Shop ever since it was founded in 1974 by Sir Terence Conran. Offering an inimitable blend of design classics and innovative new work, its furniture and lighting, home accessories and gift selections have inspired generations of visitors, continually evolving to reflect our ever-changing way of life. A global leader in curated design with an expanding family of stores across the globe (including London, Paris and Tokyo), all offering an unbeatable shopping experience, it is hardly surprising that The Conran Shop has maintained its international near-cult status.

Mid-century classics and one-off vintage pieces, hand-selected from the world’s best design houses, are reinvigorated in the company of a kaleidoscopic range of future collectibles from established and emerging designers. In recent years The Conran Shop has developed numerous collaborations and exclusive collections, as well as orchestrating releases of some of design history’s celebrated archival pieces from revered manufacturers such as Knoll, Vitra and Carl Hansen & Søn.

In 2019, The Conran Shop presents Daniel Schofield’s Blur table collection, which features coffee and side tables, each with a clear-cut glass top resting on an intricately-crafted, fluted glass base. The collection joins the ranks of the limited- edition Calacatta Cielo marble Tulip dining table, part of Eero Saarinen’s historic and revolutionary Pedestal collection, with a table top that has been specially cut from 15 slabs of ultra-rare marble. An equally sought-after exclusive is Hans J Wegner’s elliptical CH07 Shell Chair, produced for the first time in Wenge wood and upholstered in a choice of three sumptuous leathers.

Still looking to expand its empire, The Conran Shop is developing stores in two exceptional new locations. The first, planned for Spring 2019, sees the brand join forces with retail behemoth Galeries Lafayette, cementing its presence in the French marketplace. In late 2019, the brand’s global expansion increases momentum with the opening of its first outlet in Seoul, in partnership with Lotte, the country’s largest department store.

Commenting on the Seoul opening, Sir Terence Conran, who still plays an active role in the business as chairman, said: ‘I have always believed that good design and well-made products have a very simple power to improve the quality of life for people. These characteristics seem to be in the very DNA of the Korean design aesthetic. As Provost of the Royal College of Art, I saw first-hand the considerable efforts being put into training its design students. I look forward to seeing how the trademark Conran style evolves in a new market and influences our global brand.’

With a firm eye on the future, The Conran Shop pays homage to its design forbears by marking the Bauhaus centenary throughout 2019. Along with a dynamic takeover of window displays in its London stores, there will be a launch of UK exclusives, such as Marcel Breuer’s D4E Folding Chair by Tecta, and all-new collaborations with Matthew Hilton and Samuel Wilkinson. As a young designer Sir Terence Conran embraced the Bauhaus movement’s principles, recognising the importance of beautiful, functional and accessible products – a philosophy that has been integral to the success of The Conran Shop ever since.