Sir Terence Conran + Hector Bibendum Light
In 1983 celebrated designer Terence Conran received the honor and title of Knight Bachelor from Queen Elizabeth II, commemorating his more than thirty years as a cornerstone of interior design. Sadly, in September 202, the world reluctantly parted with the interior design icon, fondly remembering Sir Terence Conran’s penchant and passion for making seemingly lofty design aesthetic goals obtainable.
Sir Terence Conran
A graduate of the Central School of Art and Design (now part of the University of the Arts, London), Conran entered the world of design when he assisted with the Festival of Britain in 1951, and built a design career focused around creating affordable, well-crafted furniture and accessories that would both appeal and be widely available to the masses.
Conran was an innovator and influencer for designs in every faction of life, from gardens, to restaurants, to food, to furniture, and even museums. That’s how he wanted it, too. Ever the believer that functional, affordable, and attractive design is not to be kept a secret, Conran poured his heart and soul into ventures like Habitat, which brought aesthetic-based, modern, home décor to the public, and shared the importance of conscientious and purposeful design.
In a 2005 interview with Ginny Dougary, Conran praised Jamie Oliver’s school dinner campaign, acknowledging how rethinking one’s approach to something so basic, can change everything for the better. (You can read that article here.) Conran wanted this same transformation to seep into the home, into every room of the average person so everyone could experience the comforts and benefits of intelligent design – whether it was in a bathroom or living room or bedroom.
Hector Bibendum Light
The Hector Bibendum Light is Sir Terence Conran’s reimagining of Original BTC’s Hector light and was created to celebrate Original BTC’s 21st birthday as well as the centenary of the Michelin building.
Available as a pendant and table light, the Hector Bibendum features a handcrafted ceramic, ringed shade, ceramic base, and minimalist fixtures.
Sir Terence Conran was awarded the Society of Designer’s lifetime achievement Minerva Medal, designed a Peace Garden for the 2005 Chelsea Flower show, and received the Lifetime Achievement Award at The Catey Awards in 2017. Today, you can see the impact of his work at The Design Museum in London, the restaurants of D&D London, Habitat furniture retail stores, Benchmark Furniture, the Michelin House in London, and more.
