London (AFP)
Famous British designer and tireless jack of all trades Terence Conran - founder of Habitat and The Conran Shop, but also many restaurants and furniture lines - died on Saturday at the age of 88, his family announced.
He "died peacefully today at his home in Barton Court," his family said in a statement on Saturday, wishing to pay tribute to this "visionary who had an extraordinary life and career".
Father of five children, the designer had built a veritable Conran empire, which went so far as to own 50 Habitats stores and several iconic distribution chains in the United Kingdom, such as Next or Mothercare, not to mention the many restaurants launched and then sold.
Its concept of a fully decorated parts store has made children: the Swedish Ikea followed in its footsteps with less expensive products, and finally bought Habitat in 1992, before reselling it.
Iconic places in London bear his mark, such as the famous "Bibendum" house, the former London headquarters of the superbly renovated 1909 French tire manufacturer Michelin, or the Design Museum, of which he was the founder and main financial backer.
"Founding the Design Museum was one of the accomplishments he was most proud of," said his family, who described him as "a staunch advocate of the importance of educating young people in the creative industries."
"Sir Terence has enjoyed a remarkable life to the fullest and has always said that his work is nothing like a job - anything he does in his business he would have done for fun," he said. she adds.
The British designer leaves behind "a collection of industrial and domestic design treasures that will stay with us forever," said Mr Mandelson, Chairman of the Board of the Design Museum, hailing "one of the most iconic figures of post-war United Kingdom ".
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