Forty years of David Mellor Design
Forty years to the day it opened on 7 October 1969 the David Mellor Store on London's Sloane Square held a celebration of the achievements of the company and launched a book that documents the work of the British designer.
The David Mellor Store originally opened as David Mellor Ironmonger where the design pieces rested on shelves alongside nails and hammers. As time went on and the popularity of his work grew, stores opened in Covent Garden Butlers Wharf and Manchester.
David Mellor died in May 2009 and the company now operates under the direction of his son Corin, who adheres to his father's philosophy of – in the words of Terence Conran – 'Plain, simple, useful modernity'. Mellor is an unsung hero of British product design: careful attention to detail resonates in all his pieces from Sterling silver dining sets to his galvanised steel litter bin. Mellor's designs are encountered by most people on an everyday basis. The streetscape is full of his work, from bus shelters to Mellor-designed traffic lights. The fundamental practicality of his work ensures it remains useful and relevant. The briefs that Mellor undertook led to a diverse product range and massive portfolio including service station trays, polystyrene cutlery, gardening tools and silver teapots. Janet Street Porter once said of Mellor; ' He does for the broom handle what Bridget Bardot did for the push up bra'.
Teleri Lloyd Jones' book 'David Mellor Design' was launched at the event. The book provides a concise but informative look at the designer's work, centring on the physical objects which were so meticulously designed. The book contains illustrations by Quentin Blake, a contemporary of Mellor at the RCA, who provided work for Mellors' 'Kitchen Guide' books. Mellor's legacy is best described by Hugh Pearman who is quoted at the start of the book: 'If you are in it for the long run – it's best to avoid, as Mellor has, cult status. Cults are short lived; good knives, forks and spoons are immortal'.
The David Mellor Store at 4 Sloane Square has a display showing the key pieces from the firms history, 'David Mellor Design' is published by Antique Collectors Club.
