Togo or not Togo?

Imitation is often seen as the sincerest form of flattery. But unfortunately the saying doesn’t ring true when applied to the coveted Togo settee.

As with anything of notoriety, there are now more counterfeited Togo on the market than ever before. It's not only a disservice to the intricate art of furniture making and the craftsmanship behind it, but the buyer, who more often than not, isn't aware that what they’re purchasing isn't the real deal.

Some pieces are tricky to differentiate from the genuine article - even to the most trained eye - with the shape and structure resembling an uncanny likeness to designer Michel Ducaroy’s original 1973 masterpiece.

And counterfeited products aren't just reserved for the likes of inconspicuous internet deals either. Knock-offs and inauthentic, reupholstered Togo settees masked under the disguise of “vintage” have been spotted in the windows of some reputable second-hand furniture stores here in New Zealand.

Spy a steal that seems too good to be true? It most likely is. Although even replicas are fetching prices not too shy of an original. So what should you look out for?

Firstly, take note of the fabric folds enveloping the foam structure. An original settee has generous, voluptuous folds whereas counterfeited Togo are often upholstered in less fabric. Have a look underneath. Togo is always lined in blue and white striped fabric on the bottom of the settee.

Button sizing and positioning are minute details but real giveaways. A genuine Togo is completed with small, flat buttons in the same fabric as its body upholstery with two stitched to the back and three underneath.

Does the Togo have a genuine Ligne Roset label sewn into the back? If not, then it’s likely to be fake or to have been reupholstered somewhere along the line, which compromises its authenticity as New Zealand doesn't offer genuine reupholstery on Togo or other Ligne Roset products like it does in France. Don’t hesitate to ask the seller questions like where they originally purchased the item from or for more information on its history.

Togo is made by hand, exclusively in the Ligne Roset workshops in France by highly skilled craftspeople dedicated to the art of furniture making. In a world where machines and robots can do just about anything and everything, Ligne Roset products will continue to be made largely 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 demand for Togo (it’s the most popular design, selling in excess of 20,000 pieces globally each year) that contribute to lengthy wait times on the product, not to mention the unique challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic as well.

In a bid to shorten the time frame from placing an order on​​ Togo to enjoying it in the home, Ligne Roset has expanded its factories within France and has invested in training and upskilling workers in bespoke apprenticeship programmes.

Ligne Roset prides itself on manufacturing furniture with soul. To purchase something authentic is to bring that soul into your home; to support and celebrate the talent of the designers who dreamt its conception and the skill of the artisans who bring it to life.