Michel Ducaroy was predestined to create iconic furniture. Born in 1925, he came from a family of furniture makers and trained at the National School of Fine Arts in Lyon before joining the family business. In 1952 Michel branched out with his own studio and two years later began working with Ligne Roset.

Originally a manufacturer of wooden umbrellas, chair frames and walking sticks, the French company was on the verge of great change – the founder's grandson, Jean Roset, was shifting the focus towards furniture and with his vision and Michel's ingenuity, Ligne Roset became a hub of creativity.

As the company's head of design, Michel promoted the use of new materials, technologies and techniques, which can be observed in his best-selling seating collections including the pillowy, low-to-the-ground Adria, the boxier, cushioned Kashima and the slouchy C-shaped Safi. It's a phenomenal body of work, but almost 50 years later, it's his Togo range that's become the sofa equivalent of an Instagram celebrity.