Mid-century furniture by Sonia Rykiel (France)

Sonia Rykiel (née Flis) (1930 - 2016) was a French fashion designer and writer. She was known for her knitwear designs, which were often comfortable and loose-fitting, and for her use of bold colours and prints. She was also known for her rebellious attitude and her willingness to challenge traditional notions of beauty.

Rykiel was born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, to Jewish parents. Her mother was from Poland and her father was from Romania. She was the eldest of five sisters. She showed an early interest in fashion, and she began designing her own clothes as a teenager. In 1953, Rykiel married Sam Rykiel, the owner of a boutique called Laura. The couple had two children, Nathalie and Jean-Philippe. In 1962, while pregnant with her second child, Rykiel was unable to find comfortable maternity clothes. She decided to design her own sweaters, which she made with a loose, more... flowing fit and bold colors and prints.

Rykiel's sweaters were a hit, and she soon began selling them through Laura. In 1968, she opened her own boutique on the rue de Grenelle in Paris. The boutique was an instant success, and Rykiel quickly became one of the most famous fashion designers in the world. Rykiel's designs were known for their comfort, their use of bold colours and prints, and their rebellious attitude. She often challenged traditional notions of beauty, and she was known for her willingness to use unconventional materials and techniques.

Rykiel was also a successful writer. She published several books, including "Sonia Rykiel: A Fashion Manifesto" (1979) and "Rykiel Woman" (1987). Rykiel remained active in fashion until her death in 2016. less...