image by Andy Warhol
Fashion’s Left-bank legend Sonia Rykiel died today, Jessica Hannan highlights the five style signatures we will always remember the Queen-of-knits by.
THE FUZZY ‘DO
Martin Margiela tribute to the designer’s raven hair and portrait of Rykiel
A fashion friend of mine once admitted that she instructs her hairdresser to “leave the fringe like Sonia Rykiel” when she gets her hair permed, so her triangular frizz – like the cult designer’s – is even more dramatic offset by poker-straight bangs. It is definitely a barnet worth channelling, even Margiela honoured the kooky ‘do with this ‘hair coat’ above during a tribute show for the designer’s 40th anniversary in 2008.
THE ICONIC STRIPES
Sonia Rykiel AW’16 and vintage image from Sonia Rykiel archive
Breton stripes have long been the short-hand for chic, and Sonia Rykiel never failed to rehash the timeless graphic in a fresh way proving that Left-bank cool will never go out of fashion.
THE HIGH-FASHION KNITS
Sonia Rykiel lookbook AW’14 and L’Officiel Magazine 1972
Coco Chanel famously said, “Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.” Rykiel’s boundary-pushing knits are case-in-point. Each collection focuses on fabulous designs crafted from humble wool that not only looks great, but keeps us warm. What’s not to love?
THE FUN FURS
Pink fur, AW11. Pom-poms shoes, AW16.
Long before Charlotte Simone and Shrimps introduced fun fur into our wardrobes, Sonia Rykiel had already featured a fluffy garnish in a bright shade on their autumn runways.
THE MEGAWATT HUES
Pink mohair trews: AW13 and on the right AW11.
“My color is black,” The New York Times quoted the designer as saying. This might have been true of the brand’s originator, however, her label manages to pull off colour in a truly unique way season after season.