In May 1968, Sonia Rykiel founded her label and opened her first boutique on the Rue de Grenelle, on the Left Bank in Paris. She had been dreaming up knitwear for the boutique Laura since 1962, and in unraveling her own desires she would transform the pullover sweater into her signature.

Anointed the fashion world’s “Queen of knitwear” by Women's Wear Daily in 1970, she invented in quick succession inside-out stitching, no-hem, and “unlined” pieces that reflected a brand new philosophy: la démode, or “un-fashion”. By abolishing total-look diktats in favor of a wardrobe adapted to a woman’s individual personality, she created a unique style that is recognized the world over, whose key words are black, stripes, lace, strass (rhinestones) and sweaters with written messages.

Sonia Rykiel nourishes her fashions with her other passions: She is also an author, artist, actress and gastronome.