Shirley Conran

Shirley Conran was born on September 21, 1932. She is an accomplished author and has had an extensive career in journalism and design. Conran was educated at the University of Portsmouth, where she gained a solid foundation for her future endeavors.

In her early career, Conran made a name for herself in journalism, writing regularly for The Observer newspaper's women's page and serving as the first women's editor of The Observer Colour Magazine and women's editor of The Daily Mail newspaper. During her time at The Daily Mail, she launched the weekly women's magazine 'Femail', further establishing her reputation in the industry. Conran's expertise in design is also noteworthy. She has worked as a designer in textiles and as a color consultant and even had her own paint range. She also handled the publicity for the Women in Media Campaign devoted to sex discrimination legislation.

Conran is perhaps best known for her writing, having penned several bestselling novels, including "Lace" and "Superwoman". Her work has been widely read and appreciated, and she has made significant contributions to literature. In addition to her writing and design work, Conran has also been active in various organizations. She served on the selection committee of the Council of Industrial Design for eight years and has been a columnist for Vanity Fair (magazine).

Conran is also known for her memorable quote, "First things first, second things never," which reflects her no-nonsense approach to life and work. She has been successfully treated for skin cancer several years ago. Despite her health challenges, she has continued to be active in her personal and professional life, dividing her time between homes in France and London.