The French designer, Sonia Rykiel, has passed away, as confirmed by her daughter Nathalie today. The designer was 86-years-old and in 2012 it was revealed she had been having a long-standing battle with Parkinson's disease. 

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Sonia Rykiel

Revered for her bright knits, Sonia Rykiel has been one of the most adored Parisian houses by industry insiders and A-Listers alike; with her early clients including Audrey Hepburn, Briggite Bardot and Catherine Deneuve.

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Sonia Rykiel

And whilst Rykiel stepped down as the Creative Director of the house, passing over the batton to ex Miu Miu and Vuitton designer, Julie de Libran, Rykiel had remained extremely close to her eponymous label through the years.   

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Sonia Rykiel