The Togo sofa isn’t the only piece of furniture Michel Ducaroy designed, but it is certainly the one that he will be long remembered for. The cozy, crumpled pillow-like sofa seems never to go out of style, and its features encapsulate Ducaroy’s design philosophy of combining ergonomics and comfort with high-tech synthetic materials like foam, quilting and thermoformed plastics.
Ducaroy was born into a family of French furniture manufacturers who specialized in residential interiors as well as fittings for ocean liners. However, he elected to study sculpture at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Lyon, and this foundation would greatly influence his work and the way he thought about shape and form. Ducaroy worked at the family business and later founded his design studio in 1952.
In 1954, Ducaroy began working with Ligne Roset, the French family-run manufacturing giant known across the world for creating high-end seating. There, he was able to propel the research and development of their designs, and his work quickly became integral to the company’s identity.
Ducaroy’s innovations with thermoformed plastics and biomorphic forms can be seen in early designs for Ligne Roset in the ’60s and ’70s, like the cozy, modular Adria chair and low-sitting Kashima sofa. He designed the Togo furniture line in 1973 using an innovative all-foam seating structure that was covered with polyester; decades later the Togo sofa remains a Ligne Roset best seller.
The low rise and unique curve of any Ducaroy sofa make it instantly recognizable, and the distinctly Pop art–inspired, organic forms that the celebrated designer created from synthetic materials like polyester and foam made a powerful statement at their inception, as they continue to do now.
Find a collection of new and vintage Michel Ducaroy sofas, lounge chairs and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Michel Ducaroy Modular Bookcase System for Roche Bobois, 1970
By Michel Ducaroy, Roche Bobois
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Michel Ducaroy Modular Bookcase System for Roche Bobois, Smoked Plexiglass and Aluminum, France, 1970 This modular bookcase system was designed by Michel Ducaroy for Roche Bobois in...
Metal
$4,646Sale Price|50% Off
Modular Wall Mounted Storage System by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset
By Michel Ducaroy
Located in Rochester, England
The Modular Wall Mounted Storage System by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset is a versatile and modern storage solution. Designed by the renowned Mic...
Metal
$8,800
H 71 in W 108 in D 15 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Three-Bay Walnut & Brass Shelving System, 1952
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Three-Bay Walnut & Brass Shelving System, 1952 Wall-mounted modular shelving system designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1952, executed in walnu...
Brass
$1,257 / set
H 13.78 in W 11.82 in D 31.5 in
Marcello Siard for Kartell Set of 6 Black Plastic Shelves, Italy 1970s
By Kartell, Marcello Siard
Located in Naples, IT
Set of six shelves with asymmetrical plastic profile in black, designed by Marcello Siard for Kartell in the 1970s, are of two sizes 4 small (cm.35x44x30) and two large (cm. 35x80x30...
Plastic
$8,882 / set
H 120.87 in W 79.53 in D 12.8 in
Large 1950s Italian Mid Century Teak Maple Freestanding Shelving System 18 Piece
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
Recently imported from Italy, this is a good example of post war Italian Avant Garde design. Measuring an impressive 3-metres from floor to ceiling – a common height in Italian apartments – with opportunity to arrange the shelves to suit. This impressive freestanding storage...
Brass
$3,142
H 78.75 in W 64.57 in D 13 in
Poul Cadovius Freestanding Modular Wall Unit System for Royal System, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in The Hague, NL
Original freestanding wall unit designed by Poul Cadovius, model Royal, in the 1960s for Royal System, Denmark. Freestanding wall unit consists 3 black metal uprights, one cabinet an...
Metal
$6,070 / item
H 48.8 in W 59 in D 11 in
"Correas" Wall Mounted Bookshelf Designed by Miguel Mila' for Dessie'
By Miguel Milà, Dessie Studio
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Correas" is a wall mounted bookshelf, designed by Miguel Mila' and manufactured by Dessie', featuring 3 or 4 shelves, fixed to two or three uprig...
Stainless Steel
Mid-Century Walnut Modular Wall Unit
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid-century modular walnut wall unit, circa 1970's featuring 4 self-supporting box units, 4 shelves, and a locking drop down desk. The height can be adjusted on all pieces. Excellent...
Walnut
BRAUN Wall system, Dieter Rams, TS45, 1960s, Vintage
By Braun, Dieter Rams
Located in Neuss, NW
Unique wall system by Dieter Rams for Braun & Vitsœ from the 1960s. High-quality construction consisting of five aluminum E-profiles, two shelves, two L450 speakers, a TG60 tape reco...
Metal
Oak Shelf System by HG Furniture Denmark 1960s
By HG Furniture
Located in Handewitt, DE
Oak shelf system by HG Furniture Denmark 1960s. The wall unit consists of: - 4 shelves - 4 wall brackets detailed measurements: shelves: 4x 89.5 cm x 30 cm (W x D), height wall br...
Oak
Customizable Color USM Shelving R2 Storage System
By Paul Schaerer, Fritz Haller, Usm Haller
Located in New York, NY
Offered by M2L. With two drop down doors and two drawers. Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powder coated steel and chrome plated stee...
Chrome, Steel
Elio Monesi Modular Wall Unit and Credenza, Italy, 1950s
By Elio Monesi
Located in Berlin, DE
Unique wall unit with matching credenza designed by Elio Monesi (1927–1994), created for his private home in Milan. The system is composed of two rosewood wall panels and three wenge...
Rosewood, Wenge
Enzo Mari Dima Modular Wall Shelving System
By Enzo Mari, Simon Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Enzo Mari Dima Modular Wall Shelving System for Simon International Dima Italy, circa 1970 Enameled steel, shelves adjustable with solid plastic holders....
Steel
1950s French Industrial Modular Shelving System
By Pierre-Paul Prud’hon
Located in London, Lambeth
Industrial modular shelving with 20 adjustable shelves in a amazing color mounting on a black frame.
Steel
USM Haller Shelving R1 Storage System
By Fritz Haller, Usm Haller, Paul Schaerer
Located in New York, NY
Offered by M2L. With two drop down doors. Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powder coated steel and chrome-plated steel tubes, the USM ...
Chrome, Steel
Teak Cado System Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Highly versatile and functional wall unit in teak by Danish designer Poul Cadovius. The unit shown is an example of what we typically stock. Units are sold by the component - wall ...
Teak
$26,400 / set
H 74.22 in W 137.01 in D 91.34 in
Modular Wall Unit "Aggregabili" by Anonima Design for Bonetto, Italy, 1969
By Rodolfo Bonetto
Located in Boom, Vlaams Gewest
Exceptional and highly important modular wall unit from the celebrated "Aggregabili" series, designed by the Turin-based collective Anonima Design and produced by Bonetto, Italy, in ...
Wood
1970s Michel Ducaroy Lucite Shelving Unit
By Michel Ducaroy, Roche Bobois
Located in Den Haag, NL
Beautiful shelving unit designed by Michel Ducaroy for the French designer furniture company Roche Bobois in 1970. The unit consists of six...
Metal
