Patrick Norguet: Design must have character, otherwise it is flat and boring
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Published
30 Apr, 2025 -
Text by
Karolína Černochová -
546 words
3 minutes
How did the idea for Cissy come about?
Cissy came out of a lot of discussions with Ton - especially with Milan. The brief was quite unique: to design a lounge chair that felt both "old school" and "fresh". We wanted something that respected Ton's history with bentwood but offered a new expression. It had to be comfortable, architectural and quietly charismatic.
What were the main principles you worked with?
Balance - between heritage and the future, softness and structure. The bentwood technique is central to Ton's identity, so it made sense to use it as a base. From there I developed an architectural silhouette that gives the chair both elegance and strength. It's not about decoration - it's about form with meaning.
How did you approach comfort?
Comfort was essential. Not only physically, but also visually. When you see the chair, it should invite you to sit down. The seat is generously upholstered and the proportions are carefully balanced - not too wide, not too deep. You can rest, read, have a drink or wait for a taxi in a hotel lobby. It's versatile and relaxed, yet precise.
You have created both high-back and low-back versions. Why did you do that?
It's about creating an ecosystem. The high-back version gives a sense of privacy and softness - perfect for a lounge or a quiet corner. The low-back version feels more dynamic, more open. Together they can coexist in the same space, like a landscape of different moods. Same chassis, different attitude.
What role did materials and colours play in the final design?
A huge one. We chose a special fabric called Cleo, which has a beautiful structure and texture. For Cissy we introduced three new colours: peach, water and gold - fresh tones that still fit into Ton's visual world. The leather version uses Elmo Soft, which is naturally supple and develops subtle wrinkles. It brings a human softness - almost like skin. This slightly 'relaxed' tension is part of the comfort.
Why is the chair called Cissy?
The name is a reference to a sketch by Toulouse-Lautrec - Cissy Loftus. It's not a literal inspiration, but her posture, her presence, her understated elegance - that stuck with me. We wanted to give the chair that same kind of quiet confidence. It's theatrical in spirit, but quiet in form.
In the end, what do you want people to feel when they see or use Cissy?
Recognition. Not in the sense of trend, but familiarity - something they've seen before, but never quite like this. It's a new classic. And above all, I want them to feel it: I want to sit in it.
"Bending wood is key for Ton. It was clear from the beginning that I wanted to work with this technique. It's an old technique, but it's incredibly timeless. I wanted to make the most of it, like when a chef takes an ingredient and takes it to another level."
