Born with an instinctive passion for the arts, Jasper Conran slipped easily into the guise of a fashion designer. His contribution to the retail industry has been so great that in 2008, he was awarded his OBE. After receiving the award at Buckingham Palace from King Charles, he spoke of his delight, saying: "I am absolutely thrilled to get the award. It is very nice when your country recognises you."
As one of Britain's best-loved designers, Jasper has accumulated over 30 years' worth of experience in the fashion industry, and he's also created a roster of iconic looks for the Royal Family.
Jasper Conran's Early Life
Jasper Conran was born in London in 1959 to designer Sir Terence Conran and his first wife, author Shirley Conran. He was educated at the prestigious Parsons School of Art and Design in New York and unveiled his first collection at the age of 19 for New York's famous store Henri Bendel in 1979. The following year, he was elected to the London Designer collections and released his first menswear line in 1985.
Jasper Conran's Rise to Fame
His signature lying in his cut combined with a particularly British sensibility, Jasper has been chosen to outfit royal brides: he designed Lady Sarah Chatto's wedding and bridesmaid dresses in 1994. And he also designed wedding dresses for Jasmine Guinness and Paula Yates. Among his royal clientele, Princess Diana often wore his designs.
In 1999, Jasper turned his hand to stemware designing, creating a signature range for Stuart Crystal and later for Waterford. He launched a fine bone china tableware collection for Wedgwood in 2001, which he proudly displayed at his flagship store in Sackville Street, Mayfair.
One of his most successful career moves came in the form of a womenswear line for Debenhams. Entitled J, the association grew to include accessories, lingerie, hosiery, menswear, childrenswear and homeware. Jasper is also known in the world of costume designing, having created outfits for over 14 ballets, operas and theatre productions. And away from the arts, he's renovated historic houses and opened his own hotel – L'Hôtel Marrakech in the heart of Medina in Marrakech. Since its opening in 2016, the charming retreat has received rave reviews.
Throughout his career, the designer has received numerous accolades, including British Fashion Council Designer of the Year, The Laurence Olivier Award for Costume Design, plus an appointment as a professor at the University of Arts London and two honorary doctorates.
In August 2021, Jasper launched a new brand identity with Jasper Conran London. According to his official website, the collections are all about "contemporary styling, bold colour and outstanding quality."
Jasper Conran's Personal Life
Openly gay, Jasper was ranked number 66 in the annual Pink List of 100 influential gay and lesbian people in Britain published by The Independent on Sunday in 2009. The following year the newspaper described him as a "National Treasure".
In December 2015, Jasper married Irish artist and performer Oisin Byrne.