Founded by Sir Terence Conran in 1973, The Conran Shop has established itself as a brand synonymous with all areas of contemporary design, fast becoming the favoured destination for the greatest in furniture, lighting and gifting. Its diverse and finely considered product offering is presented throughout 12 international locations, as well as online, delivering to over 200 countries globally.
Fast approaching its momentous 50th anniversary in 2023, The Conran Shop continues to innovate and collaborate on exclusive editions of world-famous designs. Its latest offering was unveiled in time for the 19th London Design Festival and featured four staggering pieces by Hans J. Wegner alone. The Danish design legend’s exclusive collection premiered the PP225 Flag Halyard Lounge Chair in stunning olive hues, while the PP126 Rocking Chair was awarded a decadent soaped oak and walnut makeover, both by PP Møbler. At the same time, Wegner’s shimmering L037 Pendant Light was dressed in brass by Pandul, while five leather clad CH24 Wishbone Chair configurations were completed with gratifying oiled walnut and soaped oak framing by Carl Hansen & Søn.
The Conran Shop is equally delighted to pursue its partnerships with other industry leaders like Knoll, Cassina, De La Espada, and many others, offering fresh takes on timeless classics by Warren Platner, Alexander Girard, Neri&Hu, Ilse Crawford and Pierre Jeanneret. Its own-brand edit also continues to blossom with new additions from Matthew Hilton, including the Michelin Man-inspired Arbor Sofa and streamlined Domus Desk, and a complete re-engineering of Magnus Long’s award-winning Cross Leg Chair.
An unabating leader in shaping future heroes within the design sphere, The Conran Shop’s partnership with New Designers continues to thrive thanks to invaluable support from The Marandi Foundation. Its annual New Designers awards scheme scours the entries in search of a design that demonstrates growth potential within the industry and reflects Sir Terence Conran’s fundamental ethos. For the most recent awards, judges considered an impressive 97 entries before selecting a shortlist of 12. Judged by the likes of Lord Norman Foster, Anya Hindmarch and New Designers 2019 winner Huw Evans, the Designer of the Future award was given to Cameron Rowley for his forward-thinking One Step Ladder, marked by an exclusive mentorship and product development opportunity.
While The Conran Shop nurtures new talent, it also paves the way for new business, from expanding its professional service and Marylebone retail space to opening its hotly anticipated second location in South Korea, which recently opened in Dongtan, a rapidly growing area to the south of Seoul. Situated on the ground floor of the futuristic eight-storey Lotte Department Store and designed and realised by the in-house Creative Team, the new shop represents a condensed version of the award-winning Gangnam flagship.
As The Conran Shop adapts, grows, and evolves, it is driven by Sir Terence Conran’s founding vision of championing plain, simple and useful design objects from established designers and emerging talents across the globe, creating unbeatable shopping and cultural experiences from London to Tokyo. Long may it continue to inspire the design community with enduring classics, while propelling us forward into a bold new future of design.
