Founded in 1720 and in the Roché family since 1880, La Maison du Pastel is the living embodiment of tradition meeting progress. When the historic, manual pastel-making techniques of the 18th century met chemist Henri Roché’s ambitions, and fueled by the demands and desires of artists such as Degas, Whistler, Sisley and Chéret, so were born Roché pastels. Each successive generation has since upheld these standards and served some of the greatest artists of their time.
Today, Isabelle Roché (a distant cousin of Henri) and her partner Margaret Zayer present their own unique interpretation of the family’s heritage. Their incredible range of over 1800 colours surpasses the 1,650 colour range that cemented the legacy of their predecessors. These colours both resurrect and reimagine those of the past, shaped by discussions with artists, the bold implementation of new pigments, and the creative vision of the two craftswomen.