What happened to Vittorio Radice?

Once upon a time, Vittorio Radice sat very comfortably on celebrity's throne. Unfortunately, he was so occupied in scouring the horizon for new territories to conquer that he didn't notice the busy little demons sawing away at the legs that supported him--and last summer the throne collapsed, leaving Radice the first casualty of what could be called design fatigue.

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His British career had begun at Habitat. Under headmaster Conran, Habitat was a school of hard knocks as well as soft furnishings, but Radice survived, even flourished.

Then, as Conran's enthusiasm waned when his appetite for restaurants grew, Radice presented himself as both chosen heir to design-led Conran and saviour of a business that was badly adrift.

Selfridges consolidated this reputation. With admirable gusto and electricity, Radice energised this groggy and somnolent store, there were exhibitions, parties and events and Radice, an adept of brand voodoo, made Selfridges the bright focus of West End shopping.

At both Habitat and Selfridges, Radice inherited institutions that had gone off-course, but whose essential propositions were clear.

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