This year, Ligne Roset celebrates the 40th birthday of Togo.

10 years
20 years
30 years
40 years
This year, Ligne Roset celebrates the 40th birthday of Togo.
happy
birthday
togo!
1973 – 2013
togo
40 years
In 2013, Ligne Roset celebrates the 40th birthday
of Togo. Designed by Michel Ducaroy, Togo has
always been produced in the factories in Briord,
a small village in the Bugey region of France which
nestles in the foothills of the Jura mountains.
1 280 000 PIECES
PRODUCED WORLDWIDE
6 HOUR PRODUCTION TIME
FOR A LARGE SETTEE IN LEATHER
A BUTTONED SILHOUETTE
A SEVENTIES CULT PIECE
TIMELESS ALLURE
CONSTRUCTED FROM 3
DIFFERENT DENSITIES OF FOAM
SOLD IN 72 COUNTRIES
MADE FROM 8 DISTINCT CUT PIECES
GRAND PRIX DE L’APPM, 2004
CHOICE OF 899 COLOURS
OF FABRIC AND LEATHER
RENÉ - GABRIEL PRIZE, 1973
ALSO AVAILABLE IN A CHILDREN’S VERSION
“A TUBE OF
TOOTHPASTE FOLDED
OVER ON ITSELF
LIKE A STOVEPIPE
AND CLOSED
AT BOTH ENDS.”
michel ducaroy DESIGNER OF togo
michel
ducaroy, the
designer
Born in Lyon on November 4th, 1925, French designer
Michel Ducaroy was raised in a family of designers
and makers of contemporary furniture, who were
commissioned by the Chaleyssin factory which most
notably supplied furniture for the liner SS Normandie.
Ducaroy worked in the family business before studying
sculpture at the École Supérieure Nationale des Beaux
Arts de Lyon.
His 1960 meeting with Jean Roset (1920 – 1999) was
to be pivotal. The latter had taken up the reins of
another family business following the death of his
father Emile Roset in 1946. Founded by Antoine Roset
in 1860 between Lyon and Geneva for the purpose of
manufacturing umbrella handles and walking sticks in
turned beech, the Roset Company first diversified into
making chairs, and then furniture. In the post- war years,
Jean Roset turned to the contract market, developing
ranges of furniture for civil hospitals in Lyon, bedroom
furniture for halls of residence and furniture for other
municipal buildings. It was at this time that Michel
Ducaroy designed a range of furniture for young people
(chambre DN) along with numerous chairs, settees and
pieces of furniture for public facilities (chauffeuse 459,
etc). The years following 1968, coupled with the creative
explosion of the 1970s, caused Jean Roset to refocus his
company’s activities on the residential market.
1.
4.
7.
2.
5.
8.
3.
6.
AN INTENSE
SPIRIT OF
INNOVATION
As head of the Roset design department, Michel
Ducaroy became the spearhead of this change. The
quest for new seating concepts, encouraged by swift
changes in social attitudes and the advent of new
materials (foams, quilting, and thermoformed plastics)
drove Jean Roset and Michel Ducaroy to develop
new production techniques in the years between
1960 and 1970.
since 1950 in recognition of designers who had created
“ innovative and democratic furniture,” a prize which
was to be awarded to Pierre Paulin (another Ligne
Roset designer) two years later. The cult piece of the
Seventies and still enjoying undiminished success
today, Togo ranks amongst the Ligne Roset brand’s
best- sellers, having sold more than 1 280 000 pieces to
date, in 72 countries.
After Adria, the first all- foam range of modular seating
with very low seats, came numerous other models :
Koufra, Kali 1970 (which served as a model for
Claire Brétécher on which to vent her “ Frustres ” –
frustrations), Safi, Marsala 1971 (a large eiderdown
cushion within a smoked Altuglas® frame). All these
bore witness to the spirit of intense innovation which
was driving Ducaroy at that time.
Michel Ducaroy went on to develop many more models
for Ligne Roset, such as Kashima (1976), Dianthus
(1978), Armelle (1980), Anaïs and Brigantin (1981),
Ketch (1982), Carole (1984), Amadeus and Yoko
(1985). He retired in 1986 after a 26 - year collaboration
with Ligne Roset, during which he made significant
contributions in terms of the brand’s profile and its
development on the international stage.
But it was the Togo “ seat-cushion, ” presented at the
Salon des Arts Ménagers in Paris in 1973, which was
to earn Michel Ducaroy his celebrity. It also won him
the René - Gabriel prize which had been awarded
During his final years he invested all his passions into
safeguarding the region’s rural built heritage. He died
in Lyon on July 30th, 2009, at the age of 83.
9.
adria 1968 – kali 1970 – anaïs 1981 – marsala 1971 – carol 1984 – brigantin 1981 – yoko 1985 – ketch 1982 – kashima 1976.
TOGO
1973
First presented at the Salon des Arts ménagers at the
Palais de la Défense, Paris, in 1973 (February 28th –
March 11th), its crumpled, “ newborn ” appearance
and Shar - Pei wrinkles earned it more than a few
doubtful looks from professionals and the public alike.
The organizers of the fair, however, were sufficiently
inspired to award Michel Ducaroy the René- Gabriel
prize, which recognized “ innovative and democratic
furniture, ” that is, pieces which offered a good
price - to - quality ratio.
salon des arts ménagers – photograph © Roger viollet,
“ DESIGNED
TO OUTLAST
FASHION.”
maY 2012
15.54
BRIORD
SUBJECT : 3 - SEAT SETTEE
UPHOLSTERER : daniel berthaud
photograph © Vincent Leroux
40 years
of style
CLASSIC – ETHNIC – MINIMALIST – POP – ROCK – SEVENTIES – URBAN
FASHION
BEHEMOTH
©
vincent leroux, AD FRANCE
A symbol of the changing times post 1968 – “ trouver
la plage sous les pavés ” (literally, “ finding the beach
beneath the paving stones” – a saying used to suggest
that the possibilities are endless) – Togo is also the fruit
of Michel Ducaroy’s reflections on the almost limitless
formal possibilities offered by the new materials such
as quality foams and polyester quilting. It is certain
that his initial training at the Beaux-Arts de Lyon
department of sculpture would later be useful to him
in his inventive modelling of Togo’s unique form.
This new freedom enabled him to translate his vision
all the way from “ a tube of toothpaste folded back on
itself like a stovepipe and closed at both ends,” as he
often described it when questioned about the sources
of his inspiration for Togo.
PRIVATE MANSION, PARIS – KRAVITZ DESIGN INC.
The hippie generation quickly seized on it as a
place to curl up and enjoy their new idleness and
aspirations to being different. A bête de mode
(“ fashion behemoth ”) for 40 years, acquiring no
wrinkles along the way other than those in its fabric
or leather covering, it has turned up everywhere,
from the lobby of the Standard hotel in Hollywood,
Los Angeles, to the salon of Patrick Eudeline, via
Lenny Kravitz’ Paris mansion.
Its characteristic soft and pleated silhouette, in
which two generations have already snuggled,
continues to beguile to this day.
togo
holly wood
HALL OF THE STANDARD HOTEL
8 300 sunset boulevard – hollywood – ca 90069
INTERIOR ARCHITECT : SHAWN HAUSMAN DESIGN LLC
40 years
of PUBLICITY
With its launch handled by the young Jacques Séguéla,
the inventor of a whole new promotional language
for the brand, Togo went on to achieve sales of over
1 280 000 pieces in 72 countries. The Ligne Roset
facebook page even incorporates a special Togo tab
which links to a real- time counter displaying the number
of Togo pieces produced so far in its factories !
Pierre Berville from the agency Callegari Berville Grey
also dreamt up a special advertisement for Togo which
was much acclaimed and won both Ligne Roset and
its agency the prestigious Grand Prix APPM 2004
(Association pour la Promotion de la Presse Magazine).
This prize recognized both Christian Kettiger’s beautiful
photography and the distinct personality of the Ligne
Roset brand as developed by Pierre Berville, at once
pertinent and impertinent : “ Créations pour l’esprit,
les yeux, les fesses…” (“ Creations for mind, body
and soul…”).
THIS IS ONE OF THE 1 280 000
TOGOs SOLD ALL OVER THE WORLD.
Togo settee by Michel Ducaroy.
RCS Bourg-en-Bresse 545 920 076
The cult piece of the Seventies with its floor- level seat,
emblematic of the revolutionary modernity as presented
by Ligne Roset, Togo has become the brand’s star
product and uncontested bestseller.
2012 – leg agency – photograph © jean-pierre lemoine
1974
roux-séguéla
1975
1987
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR françois bénard
photograph © alain dovifat
2004
h2e
photograph © Chris Craymer
angeretti
1974
angeretti
2004
grand prix appm
callegari berville grey
photograph © christian kettiger
2005
2006
Finalist Award Winner
International Advertising Awards 2006,
New York Festivals
bbdo
photograph © Julia Fullertton-Batten
bbdo GERMANY
photograph © chris craymer
2007
callegari berville grey
photograph © christian kettiger
2011 – jung von matt – photograph
© liz von
hoene
“ CREATIONS
FOR MIND, BODY
& SOUL…”
pierre berville CO-FOUNDER OF CALLEGARI BERVILLE GREY
togo
Junior
The immense public affection for Togo, coupled with
its characteristics in terms of shape, comfort and safety
(an all- foam model with no hard spots) prompted
Ligne Roset to want to make it accessible to the younger
generation.
Since 2007 Ligne Roset has also offered Mini -Togo,
a reduced-size version of the original fireside chair
for the 4 – 12 - year - old age group. Its comfortable
look makes it just as attractive to children as it is
to their parents.
“ Since 1973,
Togo has already
worked its magic
on two generations :
the third doesn’t
have to wait either ! ”
MINI-TOGO FIRESIDE CHAIR H 18 ” W 24 ” D 26 ¾” – SEAT 9 ½”
light
TIMELESS
So light, the two Togo settees, settee with arms,
fireside chair, corner seat and footstool can be easily
moved around your living space, arranged and
rearranged with very little effort.
The purity of Togo’s lines, its all- enveloping
architectural form and its organic curves all contribute towards its timeless, yet always current, allure.
LARGE SETTEE
H 27 ½ ” W 68 ½ ” D 40 ¼ ” – SEAT 15 ”
ALL FOAM
FIRESIDE CHAIR
H 27½” W 34 ¼” D 40 ¼” – SEAT 15 ”
The exclusive use of foam for its structure makes
it a unique, supple, welcoming seat, with neither
sharp corners nor hard spots, presenting no dangers
to young children. Today, the latest technological
developments in terms of polyether and polyurethane
foams reaffirm the longevity of its exceptional
comfort. *
UNIVERSAL
Never out of fashion, its characteristic style enables it
to integrate into all interiors. Togo will be just as at
home in front of the fireplace of a country house as
it will in a mountain chalet, a Haussmannian - style
building, a high rise loft or an architect- designed villa.
OTTOMAN
H 13 ½” W 34 ¼” D 31 ½ ”
CHAMELEON
MINI-TOGO FIRESIDE CHAIR
H 18 ” W 24 ” D 26 ¾” – SEAT 9 ½”
*
Its structure is entirely composed of foam in 3
differing densities : polyether foam 21 kg/m³ –
3.2 kPa, polyether foam 28 kg/m³ – 4.8 kPa and high
resilience polyurethane foam 26 kg/m³ – 1.4 kPa. Its
cover is generously padded with polyester quilting.
Togo may be dressed in fabrics, microfibers or
leather, either plain or patterned.
SMALL SETTEE
H 27 ½” W 51½” D 40 ¼” – SEAT 15”
SETTEE WITH ARMS
H 27 ½” W 78 ” D 40 ¼” – SEAT 15 ”
HAND CRAFTED
Its upholstery demands a unique traditional skill
for which the human hand remains irreplaceable,
executing the precise movements which produce
the famous folds giving each piece of Togo its
character and personality. The elasticity of the foams
is regulated by the threads anchoring the padded
buttons, which are covered in the same fabric
or leather as the main seat. For a large settee, the
upholstery process takes 4 hours for fabric covers,
and almost 6 for leather.
CORNER SEAT
H 27½” W 40 ¼” D 40 ¼” – SEAT 15”
togo
SUMMARIzED
MODULAR
Whether treated as independent seating, used in combination
to create corner compositions or arranged in a U- shape, Togo
lends itself to any and all layouts. Its compact dimensions and
ultra- low, buttoned silhouette offer a convivial solution for
both small and large spaces.
THE FAMILY GROWS
TOGO IS COVERED IN GIANT
HOUNDSTOOTH FABRIC
TOGO CROSSES THE CENTURIES
LIGNE ROSET CELEBRATES
A CULT SEAT !
TOGO IS DISPLAYED
AT THE HÔTEL DE VILLE
DE PARIS
%
EXCEPTIONAL
DISCOUNT
TOGO IS BEING TALKED ABOUT ON FACEBOOK USA
www.facebook.com/LigneRoset
09/11/2012 – 10/10/2012
01/01/2013
01/14/2013
04/02/2013 – 06/30/2013
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 11TH – WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 10TH, 2012
The festivities commenced with the exhibition, “ Le dessein du geste ”
(“ The plan of action ”), which ran from September 11th – October 10th,
2012 at the Hôtel de Ville de Paris. This exhibition presented the
creations of renowned designers working with major French brands
such as Hermès, Baccarat and Ligne Roset. Alongside the pieces on
show, photographer Sophie Zenon presented photographs taken in
the factories and workshops of these great houses. Her images evoked
the beauty of movement, the mastery of tradition and the transmission
of skills and expertise. For Ligne Roset, it was Togo which is both on
display and magnificently photographed. Of all the 26 big names
taking part in the exhibition, it was the photograph of Ligne Roset’s
Togo which was selected for use on both the poster and the cover of
the exhibition booklet.
THAT’S
mY
togo
TUESDAY JANUARY 1st, 2013
The festivities continue on the Ligne Roset USA Facebook page,
where the special Togo tab will invite all those who live with or have
experienced Togo to post their own photos and tell their stories.
A timeline will be compiled.
togo
- 20%
TUESDAY APRIL 2nd – SUNDAY JUNE 30th, 2013
Between Tuesday, April 2nd, and Sunday, June 30th, 2013, all orders
for Togo in any covering material will receive a special discount
of 20%. This campaign is a joint venture between
,
a long - standing partner of Ligne Roset in terms of its high- quality
, whose soft, sensuous, breathable and
foams, and
washable fabrics have provided marvellous clothing – in 74 colours –
for Togo for nearly 30 years. Children are not forgotten, with
Mini -Togo also included; and older or long-standing Togo owners
can also benefit from the same discount on the recovery or
replacement of their Togo.
RCS Bourg-en-Bresse 545 920 076
togo
IN paris
“WE’VE CUT IT...20% OFF”
From April 1 to June 30, to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Togo
Ligne Roset offers 20 % Off all Togo products, in all fabrics and leathers.
THE FAMILY
IS GROWING !
SPECIAL
EDITIONS
2-SEAT LOUNGE SETTEE H 27½” W 51½” D 63 ¾” – SEAT 15 ”
TOGO, CLAD IN ITS VERY BEST FINERY : TWO NEW EXCLUSIVE FABRICS.
A seat dreamt up especially for afternoon siestas
or lazy evenings spent in the greatest of comfort.
Velvet jacquard fabric with floral motif.
Alcantara with printed houndstooth motif.
lyonese
velvet
The latest textile trends in both fashion and furnishing
give great emphasis to patterned fabrics.
The Roset Company, having been based near Lyon since
1860, was inspired to draw on the rich history of that
city’s textile industry, which has been a driving force
of its technical and commercial life since 1536, when
François first granted Lyon the monopoly on manufacturing and trading in silk.
The manufacturers of Lyon created rich silks and
velvets, the construction and delicate ornamentation
of which rendered them impossible to produce on
anything other than manual looms.
Today, a number of manufacturers are managing to
reproduce these historic textiles on ancient mechanical
looms which are very inefficient in terms of production
levels and which limit the fabric width to just 25 ½ ”.
These manufacturers work almost exclusively in the
fields of conservation and the restoration of antique
pieces of furniture and tapestries in stately homes or
museums.
These ancient textiles, despite their highly attractive
appearance, were often fragile and not particularly
durable.
To celebrate the 40th birthday of its model Togo, Ligne
Roset is offering a special edition in “ Lyonese Velvet ”
fabric. This is made by the manufacturer Rohleder,
which has succeeded in reproducing a velvet jacquard
fabric with floral motif on modern looms, capable of
withstanding daily use and, therefore, of taking its place
in a contemporary interior. This magnificent fabric
offers excellent resistance to both abrasion and light
thanks to its very dense weave of polyester (for strength)
and viscose (for touch and shine) threads : about 40”
inches of fabric contains 40 million intersections of
warp and weft !
A rich and entirely worthy birthday outfit for Togo.
OVER TO YOU :
WRITE THE STORY
OF YOUR
OWN TOGO…