Over the holidays, I enjoyed viewing the Jacqueline Kennedy exhibit at the Musee de la Mode. With quiet reflection on that time period, I followed the stairs to the next floor thinking there was a continuation of the Kennedy exhibit. What I found, instead, was another exhibit of designer clothing from the 60’s. Though only a teenager in Gary, Indiana in the 60’s and not very exposed to Paris designers at that time, I certainly remember a lot of the trends of that time.
However, it wasn’t until the 70’s working at I. Magnin in Chicago that I started to really know the names of the designers represented in this exhibit. Then in the 80’s when I started to come to Paris, I discovered with delight the fabrics, colors, textures and forms of many more of the designers displayed in the exhibit.
One of my favorite designers from the time of my first introduction of designer ready-to-wear was and still is Sonia Rykiel. I made a point to find some of her clothing in this exhibit curious to see her vision of those times. And when I did, I was fascinated at how the sweaters she created then could still be worn today…40-some years later.
My own introduction to Sonia Rykiel came through my cousin, Leslie, who had been coming to France for many years and would come home with some of Sonia Rykiel’s clothing. Leslie is definitely a woman of style and she wore Sonia Rykiel very well. I loved the sweater outfits that she wore but also admired the feel, colors and style of the Sonia Rykiel velour outfits. I was determined on my first trip to Paris to come home with an outfit. That is exactly what I did. And I worn it, and worn it…it was so comfortable, dressed up, dressed down, while traveling and I was amazed the lasting power of the fabric. To this day, I have a velour top that I purchased in 1989. Ok, so I wear it around the house with my comfy clothes. But it is pretty amazing to think that it still holds up. In fact, I like that after my SR velours become a little faded and worn,they can have a new life as my comfy clothes to wear around the house!
I graduated to Sonia’s more expensive clothing when I started working for Forbes magazine and Mirabella magazine. I started to buy some Sonia Rykiel sweaters, jersey dresses, knit skirts, wool jackets. These pieces are still in my wardrobe today. They are even now, in excellent condition. But most important is they are season-less. In fact, this fall, I took a pair of black sweater slacks to Sonia Rykiel to have them shortened to the more stylish “above the ankle” look. Now, I wear them all the time with one of my Sonia sweaters. Looks good and feels good. I also continue to love the whimsy of some of her accessories. I have carried her well thought-out, organized sacs for fun, for work, for travel. I wear her cottons in the summer.
Finally, when I got remarried in 2000, it became very clear, after looking at suits and dresses by other ready-to-wear designers, that I was going to be married wearing a suit by Sonia Rykiel. I spent a fortune (for my current pocket) but I know that I will wear that suit again as long as I keep the numbers on the bathroom scale the same! The suit was perfect, dressy, classic, feminine and it had flair.
Ok, so I clearly like this woman’s clothes. But why do I find her designs so appealing? I have read a few publication about Sonia Rykiel and what I have read makes me like wearing her clothes even more. I now see who she is reflected in the clothes she designs. She is a woman who blends liberation, with intellect, with femininity and with sensuality. Her interests and approach to life encompass her family, home, the world, politics and pleasure. I also find it elevating that while other designers have allowed themselves to be gobbled up by big luxury conglomerates, this woman has stayed independent. I can clearly translate her own characteristics in wearing her clothes. They are liberating, feminine, sensual and yet intelligent. She is the personification of the definition of style. And stylish is how I want to feel and look in my clothes.
My understanding is that she started her career in the 60’s just when a woman’s roles were changing. She had not been able to find just the right sweater for herself so she had a Venice manufacturer that worked with her husband make a sweater for her that she designed. The magazine Elle featured this sweater and her career was launched. She also had great timing as the 60’s were a time when woman were leaving haute couture behind in favor of designer ready-to-wear that was affordable but of quality.
Sonia Rykiel’s clothing reflects the best parts of a woman from the inside out. Whether you wear her velours, suedes, knitted fabrics, wool, or simple tee-shirting, her clothes are elongated and clinging. But they are never too tight. The fabrics are supple but don’t droop. The can be mixed and matched for any occasion. Sometimes her clothes combine witty interaction of words and form with her fabrics. Sonia Rykiel clothing allows a woman to do her own thing. And they allow a woman to be comfortable, to look sensual, feminine, and intelligent. I think that is what clothing should be about. I feel confident that no matter what my age, I will always feel good wearing Sonia Rykiel clothing. Bonjour Paris is pleased to have Jeri Benoit as a contributor.
Over the holidays, I enjoyed viewing the Jacqueline Kennedy exhibit at the Musee de la Mode. With quiet reflection on that time period, I followed the stairs to the next floor thinking there was a continuation of the Kennedy exhibit. What I found, instead, was another exhibit of designer clothing from the 60’s. Though only a teenager in Gary, Indiana in the 60’s and not very exposed to Paris designers at that time, I certainly remember a lot of the trends of that time.
However, it wasn’t until the 70’s working at I. Magnin in Chicago that I started to really know the names of the designers represented in this exhibit. Then in the 80’s when I started to come to Paris, I discovered with delight the fabrics, colors, textures and forms of many more of the designers displayed in the exhibit.
One of my favorite designers from the time of my first introduction of designer ready-to-wear was and still is Sonia Rykiel. I made a point to find some of her clothing in this exhibit curious to see her vision of those times. And when I did, I was fascinated at how the sweaters she created then could still be worn today…40-some years later.
My own introduction to Sonia Rykiel came through my cousin, Leslie, who had been coming to France for many years and would come home with some of Sonia Rykiel’s clothing. Leslie is definitely a woman of style and she wore Sonia Rykiel very well. I loved the sweater outfits that she wore but also admired the feel, colors and style of the Sonia Rykiel velour outfits. I was determined on my first trip to Paris to come home with an outfit. That is exactly what I did. And I worn it, and worn it…it was so comfortable, dressed up, dressed down, while traveling and I was amazed the lasting power of the fabric. To this day, I have a velour top that I purchased in 1989. Ok, so I wear it around the house with my comfy clothes. But it is pretty amazing to think that it still holds up. In fact, I like that after my SR velours become a little faded and worn,they can have a new life as my comfy clothes to wear around the house!
I graduated to Sonia’s more expensive clothing when I started working for Forbes magazine and Mirabella magazine. I started to buy some Sonia Rykiel sweaters, jersey dresses, knit skirts, wool jackets. These pieces are still in my wardrobe today. They are even now, in excellent condition. But most important is they are season-less. In fact, this fall, I took a pair of black sweater slacks to Sonia Rykiel to have them shortened to the more stylish “above the ankle” look. Now, I wear them all the time with one of my Sonia sweaters. Looks good and feels good. I also continue to love the whimsy of some of her accessories. I have carried her well thought-out, organized sacs for fun, for work, for travel. I wear her cottons in the summer.
Finally, when I got remarried in 2000, it became very clear, after looking at suits and dresses by other ready-to-wear designers, that I was going to be married wearing a suit by Sonia Rykiel. I spent a fortune (for my current pocket) but I know that I will wear that suit again as long as I keep the numbers on the bathroom scale the same! The suit was perfect, dressy, classic, feminine and it had flair.
Ok, so I clearly like this woman’s clothes. But why do I find her designs so appealing? I have read a few publication about Sonia Rykiel and what I have read makes me like wearing her clothes even more. I now see who she is reflected in the clothes she designs. She is a woman who blends liberation, with intellect, with femininity and with sensuality. Her interests and approach to life encompass her family, home, the world, politics and pleasure. I also find it elevating that while other designers have allowed themselves to be gobbled up by big luxury conglomerates, this woman has stayed independent. I can clearly translate her own characteristics in wearing her clothes. They are liberating, feminine, sensual and yet intelligent. She is the personification of the definition of style. And stylish is how I want to feel and look in my clothes.
My understanding is that she started her career in the 60’s just when a woman’s roles were changing. She had not been able to find just the right sweater for herself so she had a Venice manufacturer that worked with her husband make a sweater for her that she designed. The magazine Elle featured this sweater and her career was launched. She also had great timing as the 60’s were a time when woman were leaving haute couture behind in favor of designer ready-to-wear that was affordable but of quality.
Sonia Rykiel’s clothing reflects the best parts of a woman from the inside out. Whether you wear her velours, suedes, knitted fabrics, wool, or simple tee-shirting, her clothes are elongated and clinging. But they are never too tight. The fabrics are supple but don’t droop. The can be mixed and matched for any occasion. Sometimes her clothes combine witty interaction of words and form with her fabrics. Sonia Rykiel clothing allows a woman to do her own thing. And they allow a woman to be comfortable, to look sensual, feminine, and intelligent. I think that is what clothing should be about. I feel confident that no matter what my age, I will always feel good wearing Sonia Rykiel clothing.
Bonjour Paris is pleased to have Jeri Benoit as a contributor.
