50th anniversary of Togo

Even if you haven't heard of Togo, you've probably seen it. It has been described as a "wrinkled newborn with Shar-Pei wrinkles". But there's something about those wrinkles that makes it so inviting - and its improvised appearance. It looks like you're sitting on a thick mattress folded against a wall.

But nothing could be further from the truth. Making a Togo is a complicated process involving many people who are all experts at what they do. The upholstery process alone on a Togo sofa takes 4 hours for fabric covers and almost 6 hours for leather.

The iconic design is of course remarkable in itself. The playful expression certainly stems from Ducaroy's training in sculpture at the Beaux-Arts de Lyon. When asked about the source of inspiration for Togo, he described it this way:

A toothpaste tube that folds back on itself like a stovepipe and closes at both ends.

In fact, with its low seating height, it is considered to have revolutionised seating in the early 70s, embodying the idea that the living room was for relaxation and recreation. Generous, unpretentious and perfect for curling up with a book and a cup of tea, Togo was quickly adopted by the hippie generation.

And it continues to reach new audiences all the time. In 2006, an entire set of Togo furniture appeared on the TV programme Celebrity Big Brother in the UK. A perfect interior for a generation that indulges in idle surfing and binge-watching.

Ligne Roset's famous Togo collection was created by designer Michael Ducaroy in 1973. Born into a family with modern furniture design in their blood, in 1960 he met Jean Roset, head of the prestigious Ligne Roset furniture company, and they hit it off, with Ducaroy soon becoming head of the design department and the company's spearhead of innovation.

Today, the Togo range is still produced in the small French village of Briord at the foot of the Jura Mountains, where Ligne Roset's headquarters and factory have been located since 1973. Due to the many complicated steps in the production process and a very strict quality control, the waiting time for a Togo is currently 12 months.

With its characteristically soft and pleated silhouette, already cuddled by two generations, the Togo continues to enchant today.

But as is often the case, popularity has a downside; Togon has a large following of copies in its wake. Sadly, not something uncommon in pop culture. To avoid buying a copy, here's a short checklist:

• During manufacture, invisible ink is used to guide the stitching. Use a UV lamp on the inside to detect it.

• There is a specific domestik used to cover the lower part of the sofa, identical to the very first Togo. Domestik is a textile that is tightly woven to ensure durability and prevent the foam from poking through the fabric.

• The sofa is made entirely of foam and the upholstery is filled with polyester quilting. Over 10 pieces of polyether foam with 3 different densities are cut into 8 different pieces to construct the sofa.

• Togo is made in France, like all Ligne Roset upholstered furniture since its inception in 1860.

• Buy your designer furniture from licensed retailers.