Ligne Roset

Heritage

Ligne Roset's history begins in 1860, when Antoine Roset (1841–1893) set up a small factory making canes for parasols at Oussiat, near Pont d'Ain, drawn by the beech forests of Bugey. When the parasol went out of fashion he converted his wood lathes to chair legs and frames, then complete chairs. His widow Marie-Victorine and son Emile Roset continued the business, which made colonnaded, caned and style chairs and, in 1936, produced its first upholstered seats, mainly in leather. After the war Jean Roset shifted to contract furniture for universities, schools and hospitals.

Philosophy

In the 1970s Jean Roset redirected the company to the domestic market and began working with interior architects and designers. Investing in creation became the first insight behind its success; the second was building a distribution network in its own name, with the first Ligne Roset stores opening from 1973; the third was export, starting with Germany in 1967. For Michel Roset, "a Ligne Roset chair or piece of furniture is always more than wood and foam".

Iconic Works

• Togo by Michel Ducaroy (1973), which sold more than 1.2 million units
• Facett chairs by the Bouroullec brothers
• Pierre Paulin's Anneau armchair, reissued CM 141 desk and TV chair, and the Pumpkin seats

Today

Ligne Roset collaborates with more than 70 designers worldwide, and international business represents about 60% of its activity. Seating is still crafted by hand in its workshops in Briord (Ain), with five factories in the Ain, Rhône and Isère regions. The company describes itself as editor, manufacturer and distributor, and sells directly through its stores and online shop.