Tiptoe was founded by Matthieu Bourgeaux and Vincent Quesada, two school friends, in 2015. Their ambition was to offer furniture that combined beauty and sustainability, introducing a fresh option to a market that was limited at the time.
Since its creation in 2015, Tiptoe has been infusing the French design landscape with a new vision. Year after year, the studio has set itself apart with a distinctive approach to product design, bold exploration of colour and in-depth study of best uses for materials. We interviewed the two founders to talk about the current market, their recent partnership with the Fermob Group and the launch of their new brand identity at Maison&Objet.
Left: Vincent Quesada & Matthieu Bourgeaux. Right: the new Etude chair collection.
Can you tell us a little bit about the history of Tiptoe and how it was founded?
'Thanks to Matthieu's family workshop in Haute-Savoie, specializing in precision metalworking (bar turning), Tiptoe quickly developed industrial expertise in France and Europe, while integrating all designs in-house. The first product created was a steel clamp table leg, and the collection soon expanded to include other types of items, such as chairs, stools, shelves, lamps, and sofas. The collections are designed to be modular, durable, and with a thoughtful product design.
Our mantra is "A new standard for French design". This vision reflects the way we design and craft each product. The studio celebrates the founding principles established by the towering figures of French design in the mid-20th century. In doing so, Tiptoe has developed its own design standards based on industrial excellence, uncompromising sustainability and a timeless aesthetic.
As a mission-driven company, Tiptoe is a pioneer in eco-design in the furniture sector. Beyond its 100% European production and the exceptionally long life of its products, the studio's efforts include the use of circular and recycled materials in the manufacture of its products. This is the case for table tops and stool seats made from recycled yoghurt containers or industrial waste. The company was certified by the B Corp certification in 2021, one of the most demanding labels in terms of social and environmental responsibility.'
Collaboration with the Yves Klein archives.
In what markets is the brand active?
'The brand started with e-commerce before expanding its sales through more traditional distribution channels, including physical retail with its flagship store and wholesale, as well as professional spaces through the creation of a professional service. At Tiptoe, since our creation, we have been committed to offering beautiful, long-lasting, and high-quality products, manufacturing exclusively 100% in Europe.
International sales have played an important role for many years, with Germany as our second largest market. The brand recently joined the Fermob group to accelerate its development in France and internationally. We are currently in a phase where a partner like Fermob will allow us, among other things, to speed up our commercial development in France and abroad, especially in Europe and the United States.'
How is the market in France right now?
'The French market is our market of choice, the one that helped us get started and has remained loyal to us. Despite a cautious period in the furniture market, it seems that the market is bouncing back. Today, French legislation is evolving, and both companies and citizens are increasingly turning to sustainable furniture solutions, which leads them to us. We are proud to see these advancements in our country.
Today, we are represented by many retailers throughout France (and Europe), we have a store in central Paris, and we plan to open two more soon. In the B2B sector, we furnish many hotels, restaurants, coworking spaces, and offices. More and more project owners are relying on our services, which is why having a dedicated team is crucial for us today. Recently, athletes from around the world were able to use Tiptoe furniture, particularly in the communal areas of the Olympic Village. We're particularly happy and proud of this news!'
Can you tell us more about your recent partnership with the Fermob Group?
'We are joining the Fermob group as part of a long-term strategic partnership. Both operating in the world of design, innovative, and sustainable furniture and lighting, the companies Fermob and Tiptoe have known each other for many years.
As early as 2017, Bernard Reybier (President of Fermob) recognised Tiptoe's strong potential by personally participating in the brand's first fundraising round. It was therefore natural that the idea of a more concrete collaboration emerged, through Fermob's majority stake in Tiptoe. The operation involves a capital increase and the buyout of minority shareholders. This partnership will allow us to accelerate our commercial development. Fermob will be able to introduce Tiptoe to its network of nearly 2,000 retailers worldwide.
It is a great honour to join the Fermob group. Fermob is an icon in the world of French design. Their expertise in product design, manufacturing, and distribution is an invaluable asset for a young brand like Tiptoe.'
Tiptoe at Maison&Objet.
You were at the Maison&Objet fair. How was it?
'The Maison&Objet fair is always a major event for our studio. It allows us to meet with our clients and potential clients, especially professionals. It's an important moment, particularly for our team responsible for developing design projects. We recently unveiled our new brand identity. Tiptoe has undergone a makeover by revamping its brand platform and elements such as the logo, typography, colours, and visuals. Maison&Objet was a great opportunity to showcase this new visual identity. This year, we were present at the Maison&Objet fair as well as on the Paris Design Week circuit, at the boutique of the Museum of Decorative Arts. It is an honour for us to be showcased in such a beautiful location, and we are very proud of it. It reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire team.
At the fair we unveiled our new ETUDE chair collection, our first chair available with or without armrests, in both classic and lounge versions, and in several material finishes. We launched the reissue of our exclusive collaboration with the Yves Klein archives, a collection of objects adorned with the famous Klein blue. Also the new SSD wooden stool, which is part of the larger SSD chair collection, and the new LOU bench were presented. We are planning a release date for the end of this year or the beginning of next year.'
More information:
Tiptoe
[email protected]
www.tiptoe.fr
France