An ergonomic marvel, Ligne Roset’s Togo furniture line has been the ultimate in comfort and style for half a century.
When Togo was first created by designer Michel Ducaroy in 1973 for luxurious French furniture brand, Ligne Roset, it represented a way to sit that was in fact revolutionary. Imagined during an era when people wanted to sit differently, Togo was designed as a seat to be lived on – think afternoon siestas or lazy evenings wallowing in the greatest of comfort and pleasure. The modular and lightweight design of Togo includes a chair and several sizes of settee that can be easily joined together to form a sectional sofa, or separated and reconfigured with ease. There’s even a children’s version of the popular fireside chair, Les Minis.
While form usually follows function in the design world, in the case of Togo, in no way at all does the level of comfort replace style. It will be 50 years since its birth next year, and the seat is still as popular today as it was when it was first released. With 25,000 pieces sold globally each year, the crumpled design still continues to fascinate people. Dominating Instagram feeds and the pages of designer magazines, the bold and creative Togo has been defined as a “social icon”. Instantly recognisable by its distinctive shape and absence of base or feet, and with no sharp edges or hard areas, Togo suits any interior, enticing you to sit and relax. It is informal yet classic – a design that continues to stand the test of time.
To produce just one Togo settee, six hours of work is required, one stitch at a time.
Another key characteristic of Togo is how light it is. While it appears solid under its pleated and padded cushioning, it is in fact constructed of multiple density foam meaning it’s incredibly light and therefore easily picked up. Its ability to be reconfigured and moved so fluidly is another reason for its popularity. A chameleonic sofa in every sense of the word, there are also countless fabric options, from leather upholstery to glamorous suede or velvet, and the thousands of colours give endless options.
Exclusively made by hand in the Ligne Roset workshop in France, each Togo piece is carefully constructed by highly skilled craftspeople dedicated to the art of furniture making. To produce just one Togo settee, six hours of work is required, one stitch at a time. In a world where automated machinery can do just about anything, Togo will continue to be made by hand – a requirement arising from the company’s clear conviction about the kind of furniture it wishes to offer.
It’s this ethos, coupled with the high global demand for Togo that contribute to lengthy wait times on the product. Since opening the doors to the New Zealand exclusive Ligne Roset showroom in Auckland last year, managing director Matt Dickson and marketing director Monica Tischler have been amazed, although not at all surprised, by the local demand for Togo. As proud owners of their own Togo fireside chair – in a fabulous 40th anniversary limited edition houndstooth print – the couple hasn’t needed to convince any customers of the seat’s merit. “The Togo sells itself,” says Matt. “Realising how popular they are, we have pre-ordered our stock from the Ligne Roset factory, so that we will always have regular shipments of Togo. Otherwise, if you order from scratch you may be waiting up to two years. That’s a long time to wait for something you so desire.
We’re both long-time admirers of Ligne Roset for its ability to make a piece timeless, yet also bold, creative, comfortable, and durable. While Togo still remains our most popular design, we also have a beautiful range of outdoor and dining furniture, lighting, rugs and accessories.”
With the 50th anniversary of Togo approaching next year, a much-anticipated limited edition fabric run is set to be released, which will no doubt heighten one’s desire to own a Togo even more.
Ligne Roset Auckland has various options of Togo in fabric and leather available for pre-Christmas delivery. Enquire now for more information or visit the showroom (open Monday to Saturday):
299 Great North Road, Grey Lynn | 09 393 5636 | ligne.nz/togo
