Think of Sonia Rykiel and think of a rainbow of colour, those bright stripes that sell like hot cakes. So much so that the brand sold an 80% share to Fung Capital two weeks ago.
/var/elleuk/storage/images/catwalk/designer-a-z/sonia-rykiel/autumn-winter-2012/collection/rykiel-rf12-2300-sonia-rykiel-paris-autumn-winter-2012/13552284-1-eng-GB/rykiel-rf12-2300_CC.jpg /var/elleuk/storage/images/catwalk/designer-a-z/sonia-rykiel/autumn-winter-2012/collection/rykiel-rf12-2300-sonia-rykiel-paris-autumn-winter-2012/13552284-1-eng-GB/rykiel-rf12-2300_C0.jpg iMAXTREE
/var/elleuk/storage/images/catwalk/designer-a-z/sonia-rykiel/autumn-winter-2012/collection/rykiel-rf12-2308-sonia-rykiel-paris-autumn-winter-2012/13552277-1-eng-GB/rykiel-rf12-2308_CC.jpg /var/elleuk/storage/images/catwalk/designer-a-z/sonia-rykiel/autumn-winter-2012/collection/rykiel-rf12-2308-sonia-rykiel-paris-autumn-winter-2012/13552277-1-eng-GB/rykiel-rf12-2308_C0.jpg iMAXTREE
/var/elleuk/storage/images/catwalk/designer-a-z/sonia-rykiel/autumn-winter-2012/collection/rykiel-rf12-2318-sonia-rykiel-paris-autumn-winter-2012/13552270-1-eng-GB/rykiel-rf12-2318_CC.jpg /var/elleuk/storage/images/catwalk/designer-a-z/sonia-rykiel/autumn-winter-2012/collection/rykiel-rf12-2318-sonia-rykiel-paris-autumn-winter-2012/13552270-1-eng-GB/rykiel-rf12-2318_C0.jpg iMAXTREE
/var/elleuk/storage/images/catwalk/designer-a-z/sonia-rykiel/autumn-winter-2012/collection/rykiel-rf12-2325-sonia-rykiel-paris-autumn-winter-2012/13552263-1-eng-GB/rykiel-rf12-2325_CC.jpg /var/elleuk/storage/images/catwalk/designer-a-z/sonia-rykiel/autumn-winter-2012/collection/rykiel-rf12-2325-sonia-rykiel-paris-autumn-winter-2012/13552263-1-eng-GB/rykiel-rf12-2325_C0.jpg iMAXTREE This autumn winter 2012 collection, the second with Scot April Crichton at the helm, was notable by its neutrals. Stripped-back navy trouser suits, biscuit coloured wools and bottle green shirt dresses: sometimes quiet colours shout louder than brights.
This being Rykiel, there were quirks of course. Take the cardigan skirt; button-through complete with pockets, or the overblown gingham print stretched over chiffon and square little breast pockets covering modesty on a sheer dress.
A collection to reposition Sonia Rykiel as a label for classic separates as much as that injection of fun.