Sonia Rykiel – recognized as “queen of knitwear.”
It was not a born businesswoman, she just wanted to comfort and care. Sonia Rykiel pregnant, could not find a suitable dress, sewed herself. Then, pullover and trousers. Cloak – in case of rain, and coats – for protection from the cold. Things Sonia Rykiel composed spontaneously, not knowing that once instincts will lead her into the world of high fashion.
In 2008, the brand marked the 40th anniversary, and she Sonia Rykiel 78th birthday. The woman is full of grandiose plans, she gets up at 7 am, wrote a memoir, now commands her own fashion house and designer in charge of family succession. Unlike many others, the company has retained Sonia Rykiel’s financial independence and is wholly owned by the family Rykiel. For creating unique flavors and shows the development of concepts corresponds to the creative director Nathalie Rykiel (daughter of Sonia) and her husband – Simon Bernstein, vice president of Sonia Rykiel.
Flavors included in our online perfume store: men’s perfume Rykiel Homme, Eau de Toilette Women’s Sonia Rykiel.
Sonia Rykiel – one of the few who managed to stay in the field of fashion-industry for over 30 years. Sonia Rykiel still retains its status and a leading role in the vast world of fashion.
Queen of Knitwear – Sonia Rykiel is the name in Russia. This nickname came not by accident: it was invented by Americans cheerful in 1967. It all started with the ideas of its own line of knitwear. At this point Sonia Rykiel turned the her pregnancy, making note that the necessary simple and easy thing for expectant mothers are absent. Therefore, her first collection of dresses was devoted to maternity – dresses Sonia Rykiel for expectant mothers. Her first sweater altered seven times before she was satisfied with the end result of cutting.
Another innovation from Sonia Rykiel – a technique Sone Souture, when in front of the garment are seams and lining.
The main thing in clothes from Sonia Rykiel – is “knitted” comfort. Her belongings are mainly based on dark colors – black, dark brown and beige, mixed with the whimsical stripes. Demode, often referred to as style Sonia Rykel, – a style contrary to fashion, being outside, while applicable in their qualities and comfortable in life. She also comes up with first print words on sweaters.
In 1968 Sonia Rykiel opened her boutique in Paris – since her activism does not stop for a second. As a competent designer, she is trying to attract the interest of the buyer not only her clothes but also to the fact that around women, giving them their own character, – that is to odors. The first collection of perfumes Sonia Rykel produced in 1978, and since 1987 in line is added to cosmetics.
In 1980 she was recognized as one of the 10 most elegant women in the world. She proved that jersey can fit current trends. Her husband, Simon Bernstein, maintains her almost from the inception of the company, the simultaneous arrival Sonia Rykiel and her husband and business partner, and daughter Natalie is working with his mother in 1978.
Her favorite color? Red: the symbol of intoxication, calling to mind a poppy flower or a dress undone just enough for a hand to pass through. The flamboyant Sonia Rykiel illustrates in and of herself a certain vision of Parisian chic.
Known for her legendary little sweaters and her arrogant red hairstyle, she is the image of liberated sophistication and French elegance. It was when she was expecting that she began making clothes, creating pieces that she could wear throughout her pregnancy. Her sweaters and dresses were sold in a small Parisian boutique called “Laura.” Four years later, faced with the furor caused by her creations, she started her own company, Sonia Rykiel, and opened her first boutique on Paris’s Rive Gauche.
Sonia Rykiel amused herself by defending the lost cause and chose for her battle flag what others might consider outdated. She produced sweaters with visible seams, and did away with hems and dress linings. She designed an inimitable silhouette, impossible to miss with its stripes, sequins and messages inscribed on her pullovers.
The Sonia Rykiel brand has grown to include the name “Nathalie,” a children’s line named after her daughter. Nathalie herself is teeming with ideas for developing her mother’s empire. In October 2002, she created a new section called Sonia Rykiel Woman in which she assembled what she called the “Indispensables”: The timeless basics that make up the Sonia Rykiel brand image, as well as a selection of objects dedicated to women and their pleasures. In the basement of the Sonia Rykiel boutique, Nathalie created an ultra chic and girly boudoir where one can explore all of sensuality’s aspects.
Nathalie Rykiel, the first to exploit the concept of the chic sex shop, introduced the term “Sex Toys” into the French culture. The brand also includes a men’s collection, perfumes, and cosmetics and accessories lines. In 2001, Sonia Rykiel launched a line of best-of, the Modern/Vintage Sonia Rykiel.
Interested by culture and literature, Sonia Rykiel does not confine herself to designing prêt-a-porter to express her creativity. She is also the author of in-depth works on the history of clothing, as well as children’s stories and successful novels including Les lèvres rouges (The Red Lips) and Casanova était une femme (Casanova was a woman). She is a member of various clubs including “Croqueurs de chocolat” (chocolate lovers) and the “Amateurs de cigares de Havane” (Cuban cigar lovers). She is the ambassador of Bordeaux wines and defines herself as a daily hedonist.
Tributes were made to her all over the world for her anniversary shows and exhibitions, especially for her participation in the renovation of some of the most beautiful Parisian hotels, and for the creation of the Sonia Rykiel rose with the help of the famous Jean-Pierre Guillot rose nurseries.
In 1994, she appeared in Pret-a-porter, the film by Robert Altman, and sang a duet with Malcolm McLaren on his “Paris” album. After having received three national awards, Rykiel still has not finished shaking up the fashion world. She continues to propose collections that mix fantasy with femininity, with a tasteful touch of provocation, seducing generations of young women avid for something fresh and mischievous in the heart of fashion.
The so-called ‘Queen of Knits’, Sonya Rykiel is synonymous with Paris. Born in the city in 1930, she went on to encapsulate Parisian style with her chic fashion line. As an expectant mother, she had discovered that there were no sweaters available that were soft and flexible enough for her to wear through her pregnancy, so, in 1962, she created her own line of knitwear. This was so successful that she opened her first boutique in that momentous Parisian year, 1968. And, in their own way, Sonya Rykiel designs were revolutionary. Her flattering knits -often in what was to become her trademark stripes – symbolised liberation for women’s bodies from the stiff silhouette of the previous decade. She also increased the sex appeal of knits: freed from linings and hems, her dresses and sweaters were like second skins for the women who wore them.
Sonya Rykiel has continued to build her very own French Empire since the ’70s. She recognised the wisdom of establishing a beauty line early on, launching a perfume in 1978 and cosmetics in 1987. Completely independent, Sonya Rykiel business is very much a family affair. Husband Simon Bernstein is her business partner and daughter Nathalie Rykiel has been involved in the company since 1975. With such support, Sonia has the freedom to do other things.
Today, Sonya Rykiel is something of a French institution. She has written novels, decorated hotels, sung a duet with Malcolm McLaren and even had a rose named after her. And the accolades keep on coming. Sonya Rykiel has been awarded an Oscar by Fashion Group International and in December 2001, the French government named her Commandeur de l’Ordre National du Merite. Now in her seventies, the grande dame of French fashion shows no signs of giving up. She has an army of sweater-loving women depending on her, after all.
I woke up super late, and my first meeting at the office was really important! I chose a black tuxedo. The bottom is a high-waisted short and the jacket is perfectly tailored. I like it a bit too small and short at the wrist. Underneath, an Anne Fontaine white shirt and simple black Repettos. I put on mascara in such a fury that I got it all over my eyes. In the evening, I attended the RxArt charity auction. For that, I changed into a peach cotton tee that I tucked into a high-waisted blood-orange crepe pencil skirt. My nude patent peep-toe Louboutins finished this retro look. I added my taupe Lanvin shoulder bag, a real beauty. The grosgrain ribbon laced through the chain strap is so romantic.
All-day rain. To work, I wore my Co black leather skirt with a Sonia Rykiel pale pink sweater from the ’70s that was made for the wonderful French yé-yé singer Sylvie Vartan. Instead of rain boots, I chose black leather Tod’s with white ankle socks.
I put much more thought into my evening outfit as I had a rendezvous with a French guy that I like a lot. (I guess now he will know!) I finally chose a black dress with a polka-dot bib collar, black Wolford tights and python sky-high Sergio Rossi heels. The outfit was a bit vamp, so I accessorized with a long Wilfredo Rosado birdcage necklace and a fun Olympia Le-Tan cookbook clutch. He took me to the Upper East Side, where we ate delicious burgers and then to this very special jazz club in Harlem.
United States director of public relations for Sonia Rykiel, is the designer’s granddaughter. Her father is Simon Burstein, the chief executive of Browns fashion boutique in London. Raised in Paris, Lola now lives in New York.
It’s been long hours as we prepare for the Paris runway show. So I was excited for a lunch escape with Lisa Pomerantz, a family friend who works for Michael Kors. For me, she embodies this chic, modern working American woman, and I tried to dress in tune with her. I wore loose champagne silk Kors trousers, a cream long-sleeved Sonia Rykiel crepe blouse and my super-comfortable blush suede Prada heels.
After work, I met an editor friend at Sonia Rykiel. I kept the blouse and changed into high-waisted A.P.C. jeans, broke out my new black Tabitha Simmons heels with fringe (I learned at an early age that shoes have deep therapeutic virtues) and put on a Zadig & Voltaire black biker jacket. I also took my magical new Christopher Kane plastic clutch. It’s filled with water and glitter and reminds me of a little toy from my childhood.