Sonia Rykiel pour H&M

Establishing itself for getting the top-notch designers on the block to go high street, H&M will unveil colourful knits by Sonia Rykiel for winter ’09 and spring ‘10. Together with artistic director Nathalie Rykiel, the Swedish retail concern is proud to present its next guest designer Sonia Rykiel.

The French house founded by the ‘Queen of Knits’ represents the distinctive, modern and impertinent spirit of Paris. This marks the first time that H&M has extended its designer collaboration to the world of lingerie and related accessories for women, with exclusive pieces to be launched in-store on December 5, 2009. The collection will be launched in 1,500 H&M stores worldwide and at the same time, Sonia Rykiel will make this lingerie collection available in Sonia Rykiel’s major boutiques around the world – also a first for H&M.

“It is a hallmark of Sonia Rykiel to think of all women because fashion is about a certain spirit more than a question of means. This collaboration fits perfectly with our philosophy. The Sonia Rykiel pour H&M lingerie collection is the ideal way to offer the essence of Rykiel to a great number of women around the world, and a beautiful way to close the year. The knitwear collection is perfect for welcoming a colourful new season,” says Nathalie Rykiel, president and artistic director of Sonia Rykiel.

Sonia Rykiel’s singular fashion story began at a revolutionary time in France in May 1968. Since the opening of her first boutique on the rue de Grenelle in that time of social upheaval, Rykiel has become an ambassadress of a very Parisian, deeply Saint Germain style, with its hallmarks of individuality, modernity and a certain impertinence that the designer calls ‘la démode’ (unfashion). Rykiel signatures include inside-out stitching, a preponderance of black, lace, strass, colourful stripes and the knit pullovers that have become synonymous with the brand.

The designer is a national icon, is also the author of nine books and has consistently been an influential presence on the French social and cultural scene. Since her daughter, Nathalie Rykiel, joined the company in 1975, the house has expanded to include the lines: Sonia by Sonia Rykiel, Rykiel Woman, Rykiel Enfant, shoes and accessories. Sonia Rykiel is the only French group in the fashion industry to remain family-owned and 100% independent.

Image 1: Sonia Rykiel AW09
Image 2: Sonia Rykiel