SAGA
What if you discovered the whole story of the creators of YOGATERRAE ...
Dive into the surprising and inspiring saga of Robinsonnades , the creative studio of YOGATERRAE , where each step of our travels, since 1991 in the Indian Ocean, and more particularly on the island of Reunion and Mauritius , until today in 2025, is driven by creativity, a quest for harmony and well-being. Starting from 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 enhance every moment of practice and life.
THE SAGA, ITS ORIGINS FOR AN AMBITION WITHOUT LIMITS
Under an azure sky, lulled by the shadows of the palm trees and the echo of the 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 few resources, a mere 1,000 francs at the time (around €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 the sunny shores, linking design, well-being and audacity.
Dive into this unique saga where each chapter reflects the ingenuity of a family and the escape of a dream come true. A story where each creation bears the imprint of sun, sand, and the breath of limitless ambition.
1991. THE FIRST GASPERS OF CREATIVITY IN THE TROPICS, 12,000 KM FROM PARIS
In 1991, 12,000 km from the mainland, Lionel and Rachel, young dreamers, settled on the island of Reunion. Inspired by the lush beauty of this territory and guided by an ambitious vision, they created the MAUNA KEA brand in the Beachwear sector within their small design studio called Robinsonnades . Named after the world's highest underwater mountain, located in Hawaii, this brand symbolizes their aspiration: to reach the heights of creativity for excellence.
MAUNA KEA reinvented the T-shirt as a true canvas for beachwear expression. With bold graphics, vibrant colors, and a touch of escapism tinged with exaggerated relaxation, their creations captured the carefree spirit of the 1950s, celebrating happiness and freedom. Quickly adopted by islanders and tourists alike, the brand became an ode to casual elegance and exoticism.
Between artisanal screen prints and beach parties, Lionel and Rachel have built a unique universe, driven by the energy of youth and the dream of a lifestyle that spans 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 HORIZON FOR MAUNA KEA WHO WILL REACH GIANTS
Building on its success in the tropics, MAUNA KEA launched onto the metropolitan market in the 1990s. Lionel and Rachel took on an ambitious challenge: to showcase their style alongside the already well-established international sportswear brands. Their artistic vision and leadership in their creative theme quickly attracted the largest French sports and leisure distributors, who would list them for several seasons in updates.
In 1993, during a trade fair on the French Riviera, a chance encounter with the producer of the show USHUAÏA marked a turning point. Fascinated by their tropical creations, he invited them to Paris to the TF1 offices to entrust them with the task of designing exclusive outfits for his reporting teams. These garments, inspired by nature and biodiversity, would become a visual signature for TF1's iconic show.
This partnership will strengthen MAUNA KEA 's identity, going beyond fashion to inspire universal values of respect for the planet and authenticity, while asserting its place in the world of Beachwear and Sportswear in the late 90s and early 2000s.
WHEN THE WONDER OF TIMES SQUARE BECOMES LIGHT ART
It all began as a family in the mid-2010s and early 2020s, in the heart of the frenzy of NEW YORK . During a memorable trip to MANHATTAN , Lionel, Rachel, and their two eldest children discovered TIMES SQUARE , the iconic place where vertical architecture meets an explosion of lights. Fascinated by the glittering screens and towering skyscrapers, a brilliant idea came to life: capturing this visual magic and transposing it into creations that combine design and poetry.
Back in France, Lionel and his son Tim, then a design student at STRATE PARIS, pooled their imaginations to bring this dream to life. Together, they designed luminous mini-skyscrapers , sculpted from Plexiglas and dotted with thousands of small mosaic tesserae by BISAZZA, a world leader in artistic ceramics. Each piece, handcrafted with millimeter precision, becomes a true work of luminous art.
The first creations, reaching nearly two meters in height, stood out as unique sculptures, celebrating the vertical architecture and light effects unique to Times Square. These miniature monuments were quickly enriched with luminous cubes and other compact blocks, designed to vary the shades of the rainbow thanks to integrated lighting technologies that can be controlled remotely via smartphones.
Each piece reflects the bold spirit of Robinsonnades : combining technology, craftsmanship, and emotion to create timeless works. This project marks a pivotal milestone in the family's history, revealing an infinite capacity to transform inspiration into extraordinary creations.
All these creations endure and continue to be enriched with new creations every year, tirelessly since this trip to MANHATTAN, to the great delight of a community of admirers who are ready to wait between 3 and 4 months before receiving, in "white glove" delivery, these little treasures of creativity personalized each time in an exclusive way.
TIMES SQUARE... A STYLE... THE MOVIE
The lighting fixtures in BISAZZA materials are full of inspiration, where skyscrapers rub shoulders with light screens to enchant the legendary square that many want to see at least once in their life!
Explore this film, which was written by Tim (STRATE PARIS) & Charlie (ESMA), the 2 first sons of Lionel & Rachel.
A NEW DIMENSION OF WELL-BEING CREATED FROM LIGHTING DESIGN TO THE WORLD OF YOGA
Robinsonnades ' lighting creations transcend the boundaries of classic design. By blending technological innovation, exceptional craftsmanship, and urban inspiration, these luminous works of art reinvent residential and professional spaces. Their mission? To enhance 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 light fixture is the result of precise craftsmanship, where every detail, every tile, is meticulously adjusted by hand.
This quest for perfection has naturally found an echo in exceptional places such as luxury estates dedicated to relaxation , Spas or even Yoga Studios . These environments, dedicated to calm and rejuvenation, have inspired a new direction: extending this visual harmony by integrating objects designed for well-being, and in this case, all the objects carried by the YOGATERRAE style which will see the light of day in 2018.
Today, Robinsonnades continues to shine a light on this luminous legacy. By combining innovation, emotion, and design, each creation stands as a bridge between the boldness of its beginnings 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 Robinsonnades ' DNA, has always sought to awaken the senses, transform the atmosphere of spaces and establish visual and emotional harmony. This quest for light, celebrated in unique and exclusive creations, quickly found its place in environments where calm and serenity are essential: luxury hotels, soothing spas and spaces dedicated to rejuvenation.
It was in this context that the obvious choice became clear: extending 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: connecting the soothing of light to that of the body and mind.
The transition from light to the art of yoga is part of a natural continuity, where each mat, each 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 from this transition, reflects this heritage. It extends the luminous story of Robinsonnades by adapting it to an organic lifestyle resolutely focused on serenity.
SAILING TOWARDS NEW HORIZONS FOR A SINGLE OBJECTIVE: ENHANCING WELL-BEING
Since its inception in 1991, Robinsonnades has been guided by one ambition: to push the boundaries of creation to transform every space, every moment, into a unique experience. This breath of innovation, born in the heart of the Indian Ocean, today inspires a bold diversification, where well-being, sport, and design harmoniously intertwine.
With the world of Yoga as its starting point, Robinsonnades has opened up new horizons: varied disciplines and equipment combining aesthetics, performance and innovation, designed to meet the expectations of a clientele in search of excellence and escape.
In 2024, Water Sports , with their premium stand-up paddles, invite serenity on the water, while Cardio-Fitness and Winter Sports follow, celebrating movement and energy in elegant and functional creations.
In 2025, Robinsonnades takes a new step with the launch of its Yoga-Fitness wear collection, designed to dress passion and encourage performance with style and originality.
This diversification adventure is not just a broadening of the creative horizon: it is an ode to self-improvement, a call to explore disciplines where well-being becomes an art of living. True to its roots, Robinsonnades continues to draw an inspiring future, where each discipline is an opportunity to magnify the harmony between body, mind, and the visual universe.
By navigating between innovation and tradition, Robinsonnades renews its commitment: to design objects that do not just accompany a practice, but which enrich passions and transform them into real life experiences.
FROM 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 by our community. With a simple tipping feature integrated into Shopify, our customers have transformed their purchases into gestures of support. These contributions, often symbolic and sometimes very generous, have become, over the years, a form of micro-patronage , 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: United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom . This tool will give every brand using the Shopify CMS the power to cultivate a more authentic connection with their communities by integrating generosity into their daily activities.
With the pépiteurs , we carry a simple message: GIVE THE POWER TO GIVE!
This virtuous circle, where gratitude stimulates teams, innovation and public recognition, reflects our philosophy: moving forward together, with humanity and creativity by strengthening the bond between brand and customer.
THE PEPITEURS →
ROBINSONNADES IS ABOVE ALL A FAMILY STORY 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 united family. Inspired by Robinson Crusoe , Lionel, Rachel, and their three children have made ingenuity and creativity their pillars, transforming every challenge into an opportunity.
Their philosophy?
Creating beauty with little, thanks to an inestimable wealth: 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 lazy tropical dreams.
- TIMES SQUARE , where light and urbanity meet to enhance peaceful spaces.
- ROCKNWALL , for masterful works with thousands of mosaic tiles on the walls.
- YOGATERRAE , a symbol of universal and timeless well-being for body-hugging items.
- THE PÉPITEURS , an initiative celebrating generosity and collective innovation.
These brands share a common story: 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 the boundaries of what's 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, driven by a family that continues to believe that anything is possible, as long as love and passion remain at the heart of each project.
2025, EVERYTHING IS ACCELERATING: WELCOME TO SHARED INSPIRATIONS
As summer 2025 dawns, YOGATERRAE is opening 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 who, thanks to their talents, identities and unique 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 expertise, combined with our bold vision, has fueled projects that go far beyond our own collections, extending to bespoke commissions for private, residential, and corporate clients.
With the “WELCOME” menu, we want to offer our partner brands a real showcase without barriers: they will be able to present their emblematic articles, without any commission on our part , in this space.
A collaborative and caring approach, faithful to the spirit of sharing that has driven us since our beginnings.