SAGA
And if you were to discover the full story of the creators of YOGATERRAE...
Immerse yourself in the surprising and inspiring saga of Robinsonnades, YOGATERRAE's design studio, where every step of our travels, from 1991 in the Indian Ocean, and more specifically on Reunion Island and Mauritius, to today in 2025, is driven by creativity, a quest for harmony and well-being. Starting with a dream at the end of the world, from our luminous designs to the world of yoga, our approach has always been to inspire Sports & Leisure enthusiasts to reconnect with their inner well-being on products that sublimate every moment of practice and life.
THE SAGA, ITS ORIGINS FOR A NO-LIMITS AMBITION
Under an azure sky, lulled by the shadows of palm trees and the echo of waves, it all began.
There, in a remote corner of the Indian Ocean, a bold dream took root: to transform simplicity into an infinite source of creativity. Like Robinson Crusoe, the Robinsonnades studio was born with very little, a mere 1,000 francs at the time (about €150 today)just enough to register with the Chamber of Commerce, but with an inestimable wealth - imagination and passion.
From this first tropical setting emerged a family adventure that would conquer far beyond sunny shores, linking design, well-being and boldness.
Immerse yourself in this unique saga, where each chapter reflects the ingenuity of a family and the escape of a dream come true. A story where every creation bears the imprint of sun, sand and the breath of boundless ambition.
1991. THE FIRST BREATHS OF CREATIVITY IN THE TROPICS 12,000 KM FROM PARIS
In 1991, 12,000 km from mainland France, young dreamers Lionel and Rachel settled on the island of La Réunion. Inspired by the lush beauty of the land and guided by an ambitious vision, they set up their small design studio, Robinsonnades, to create the MAUNA KEA beachwear brand. Named after the highest underwater mountain in the world, located in Hawaii, this brand symbolizes their aspiration: to reach creative heights of excellence.
In beachwear, MAUNA KEA has reinvented the T-shirt as a canvas for expression. With bold graphics, vibrant colors and a breath of escapism tinged with exaggerated idleness, their creations captured the carefree spirit of the 50s, celebrating happiness and freedom. Quickly adopted by islanders and tourists alike, the brand became an ode to relaxed elegance and exoticism.
Between hand-crafted silkscreens and beach parties, Lionel and Rachel build a unique universe, driven by the energy of youth and the dream of a lifestyle that crosses generations. Like the mountain that gives it its name, MAUNA KEA stands out as a creative summit, rooted in local culture but radiating far beyond.
FROM THE INDIAN OCEAN TO FRANCE, A NEW HORIZON FOR MAUNA KEA AS IT RUBS SHOULDERS WITH THE GIANTS
Building on its success in the tropics, MAUNA KEA entered the metropolitan market in the 90s. Lionel and Rachel took up an ambitious challenge: to make their style shine in the face of the biggest international sportswear brands, which were already well established. Their artistic vision and creative leadership quickly won over France's leading sports and leisure retailers, who stocked their products for several seasons.
In 1993, during a trade fair on the Côte d'Azur, a chance meeting with the producer of the TV show USHUAÏA marked a turning point. Fascinated by their tropical creations, he invited them to TF1's offices in Paris to design exclusive outfits for his reporting teams. These garments, inspired by nature and biodiversity, would become a visual signature for TF1's iconic program.
This partnership will reinforce MAUNA KEA's identity, going beyond fashion to inspire universal values of respect for the planet and authenticity, while affirming its place in the world of beachwear and sportswear in the late 90s and early 2000s.
WHEN THE WONDER OF TIMES SQUARE BECOMES LUMINOUS ART
It all began with the family, in the mid-2010s-2020s, in the heart of frenetic NEW YORK. During a memorable trip to MANHATTAN, Lionel, Rachel and their first two children discovered TIMES SQUARE, the iconic place where vertical architecture meets an explosion of lights. Fascinated by the glittering screens and towering skyscrapers, a bright idea came to life: to capture this visual magic and transpose it into creations that marry design and poetry.
Back in France, Lionel and his son Tim, then a design school student at STRATE PARIS, combined their imaginations to bring this dream to life. Together, they designed luminous mini-skyscrapers, sculpted in Plexiglas and studded with thousands of tiny mosaic tesserae by BISAZZA, a world reference in fine ceramics. Each piece, shaped by hand with millimetric precision, becomes a veritable luminous work of art.
The first creations, reaching a height of almost two meters, were unique sculptures, celebrating the vertical architecture and play of light characteristic of Times Square. These miniature monuments were soon enhanced by luminous cubes and other compact blocks, designed to vary the shades of the rainbow thanks to integrated lighting technologies that can be remotely controlled via smartphones.
Each piece reflects the bold spirit of Robinsonnades: combining technology, craftsmanship and emotion to create timeless works of art. This project marks an essential step in the family's history, revealing an infinite capacity to transform inspiration into extraordinary creations.
All these creations endure and continue to be enriched by new creations every year, relentlessly since that trip to MANHATTAN, to the delight of a community of admirers who are prepared to wait between 3 and 4 months before receiving "white glove" delivery of these little treasures of creativity, each exclusively personalized.
TIMES SQUARE... A STYLE... THE FILM
BISAZZA material luminaires in full inspiration, where skyscrapers rub shoulders with luminous screens to enchant the mythical square that many want to see at least once in their lives!
Explore this film, which was scripted by Tim (STRATE PARIS) & Charlie (ESMA), the first 2 sons of Lionel & Rachel.
A NEW DIMENSION OF WELL-BEING CREATED FROM LIGHTING DESIGN TO THE WORLD OF YOGA
The luminous creations from Robinsonnades transcend the boundaries of classic design. Blending technological innovation, exceptional craftsmanship and urban inspiration, these luminous works of art reinvent residential and professional spaces. Their mission? Sublimate interiors with a touch of magic and offer a memorable visual experience.
These unique pieces quickly attracted a discerning clientele of collectors and lovers of exclusive design. Made to order and fully customizable, they reflect the excellence of meticulous craftsmanship. Each luminaire is the fruit of precise craftsmanship, where every detail, every tessera, is meticulously adjusted by hand.
This quest for perfection was naturally echoed in exceptional locations such as luxury estates dedicated to relaxation, spas and yoga studios. These environments, dedicated to calm and rejuvenation, have inspired a new direction: to extend this visual harmony by integrating objects designed for well-being, and in this case, all the objects carried by the YOGATERRAE style that will see the light of day in 2018.
Today, Robinsonnades continues to radiate this luminous heritage. By combining innovation, emotion and design, each creation is a bridge between the audacity of the early days and a contemporary vision of applied art, driven by an uncompromising quest for excellence.
A NATURAL PATH FROM LIGHTING DESIGN TO YOGA AND WELL-BEING
The world of Lighting design, deeply rooted in the DNA of Robinsonnades, has always sought to awaken the senses, transform the ambience of spaces and create visual and emotional harmony. This quest for light, celebrated in unique and exclusive creations, has quickly found its place in environments where calm and serenity are essential: luxury hotels, soothing spas and spaces dedicated to rejuvenation.
It was against this backdrop that the obvious step was taken: to extend this luminous experience to the very heart of well-being, through objects designed to enrich practices such as yoga. By imagining yoga accessories inspired by these same values - elegance, harmony and innovation - Robinsonnades has taken a step towards a new creative dimension: linking the soothing power of light to that of the body and mind.
The transition from light to the art of yoga is a natural continuity, where each mat and accessory becomes an extension of this universe of tranquility and design. These objects, designed with the same attention to detail and excellence, reflect a desire to offer creations that inspire and accompany the quest for balance of those passionate about well-being.
YOGATERRAE, born of this transition, reflects this heritage. It extends the luminous story of Robinsonnades by adapting it to an organic lifestyle resolutely turned towards serenity.
NAVIGATING NEW HORIZONS WITH A SINGLE GOAL IN MIND: SUBLIMATING WELL-BEING
Since its origins in 1991, Robinsonnades has been guided by a single ambition: to push back the frontiers of creation to transform every space, every moment, into a unique experience. This spirit of innovation, born in the heart of the Indian Ocean, today inspires a bold diversification, where well-being, sport and design are harmoniously intertwined.
With the world of yoga as its starting point, Robinsonnades has opened up new horizons: a variety of disciplines and equipment combining aesthetics, performance and innovation, designed to meet the expectations of customers in search of excellence and escape.
In 2024, Water Sports, with its premium stand-up paddles, invites serenity on the water, while Cardio-Fitness and Winter Sports follow, celebrating movement and energy in elegant, functional creations.
In 2025, Robinsonnades takes the next step with the launch of its Yoga-Fitness wear collection, designed to dress passion and encourage performance with style and originality.
This adventure in diversification is not just a broadening of creative horizons: it's an ode to surpassing oneself, a call to explore disciplines where well-being becomes an art of living. True to its roots, Robinsonnades continues to design an inspiring future, where each discipline is an opportunity to magnify the harmony between body, mind and visual universe.
Navigating between innovation and tradition, Robinsonnades renews its commitment to designing objects that don't just accompany a practice, but enrich passions and transform them into genuine life experiences.
OF GENEROSITY AS A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION AND GROWTH, OUR "PÉPITEURS" PLUG-IN WAS BORN
Since its inception, Robinsonnades has been driven by a surge of generosity, amplified thanks to our community. With a simple tip feature integrated into Shopify, our customers have turned their purchases into gestures of support. These contributions, often symbolic and sometimes very generous, have over the years become a form of micro-monetary support, reinforcing our mission: to create for the well-being of all.
Inspired by this experience, we decided to design the pépiteurs, the "nugget discoverers", a free tipping and generosity plugin for all Shopify sites, which will soon be available in France and internationally: USA, Canada, Australia, UK. This tool will give every brand using Shopify CMS the power to cultivate a more authentic connection with their communities by integrating generosity into their daily activities.
With the pépiteurs, our message is simple: GIVE THE POWER TO GIVE!
This virtuous circle, in which gratitude stimulates teams, innovation and public recognition, reflects our philosophy: moving forward together, with humanity and creativity, strengthening the bond between brand and customer.
THE PÉPITEURS →
ROBINSONNADES IS ABOVE ALL A FAMILY AFFAIR AND A SOURCE OF INFINITE CREATIVITY...
Since its creation, Robinsonnades has been much more than a design studio: it's a human adventure driven by a close-knit family. Inspired by Robinson Crusoe, Lionel, Rachel and their 3 children have made ingenuity and creativity their mainstays, turning every challenge into an opportunity.
Their philosophy?
Creating beauty from little, thanks to a priceless resource: family love and inventiveness.
Over the years, this family synergy has given birth to iconic brands, each stimulating additional facets of their vision:
- MAUNA KEA, a tribute to exoticism that lives up to the most farniente tropical dreams.
- TIMES SQUARE, where light and urbanity meet to sublimate spaces of calm.
- ROCKNWALL, for masterful works featuring thousands of mosaic tesserae on the walls.
- YOGATERRAE, a symbol of universal, timeless well-being for body-conscious products.
- THE PÉPITEURS, an initiative celebrating generosity and collective innovation.
These brands tell a common story: that of a constant quest for innovation and a deep attachment to their roots. Each creation, whether luminous or focused on well-being, reflects their desire to push back the boundaries of the possible while remaining true to their essence.
Today, Robinsonnades is a true symbol of resilience, audacity and transmission. It's an invitation to explore, create and dream, supported by a family that continues to believe that anything is possible, as long as love and passion remain at the heart of every project.
2025, EVERYTHING ACCELERATES: WELCOME TO SHARED INSPIRATIONS
At the dawn of summer 2025, YOGATERRAE opens up to new horizons with its "WELCOME" menu , a space designed to celebrate creativity and collaboration. This unique chapter in our history will mark the integration of artists, creators and designers who, with their unique talents, identities and experiences, will enrich the world of YOGATERRAE. Together, they will "pollinate" the objects and creations of the Robinsonnades studio, bringing new perspectives to our values of harmony and well-being.
Since 1991, Robinsonnades has been built on a quest for inspiration and excellence, shaping unique identities and timeless designs. This know-how, combined with our bold vision, has nurtured projects that go far beyond our own collections, extending to bespoke commissions for private, residential and corporate customers.
With the "WELCOME" menu, we'd like to offer our partner brands a truly barrier-free showcase: they can present their iconic items in this space, without any commission on our part.
A collaborative and benevolent approach, in keeping with the spirit of sharing that has inspired us since the beginning.