Terence Conran, the Brit-Designer

Sir Terence Conran (1931 - 2020) believed that "plain, simple, useful" design would improve the quality of life, and took a broad view of everything from personal living spaces to cities and society, pushing for change through design. This exhibition is the first in Japan to explore the figure of Conran, who brought about major changes in British lifestyles and culture and sparked a design boom. Shortly after the war, Conran began working as a pattern designer for textiles and tableware, and in the 1960s, he successfully launched a chain of groundbreaking home styling shops called Habita, demonstrating his talent as an entrepreneur. The concept of select shops at The Conran Shop, which he developed in the 1970s, dramatically transformed the design market in Japan and around the world. In addition, he was involved in a wide range of projects, including product development such as furniture, urban redevelopment that revitalized the abandoned warehouse district of London, and book publishing. He also began working in the restaurant business in the 1950s, opening over 50 establishments ranging from fine dining to casual cafes, and establishing a new cooking style known as Modern British in British food culture. One of his greatest achievements was realising his long-held idea of ​​establishing a Design Museum in 1989, the first in the world to do so. This exhibition will bring to light various aspects of Conran through interviews with people who were influenced by him, in addition to over 300 works and documents, including his early products such as pattern-designed tableware and textiles, maquettes for furniture design, items for shops and restaurants, his favourite items that were also sources of inspiration, his books, photographs and films. "The most important thing to me has always been that design enriches people's lives."