Sonia by Sonia Rykiel Pre-Fall 2013: Carefree intelligence

There is no question which chic European country the Sonia by Sonia Rykiel girl hails from.  The label’s Pre-Fall 2013 collection has the distinct androgyny that French women are famous for embodying, in one example channeled through a long-sleeved black sheath dress with collar and trailing front ruffle reminiscent of a tie.  In another, a leopard-print knit top with contrasting orange collar was paired with a boxy two-toned khaki jacket, sateen ankle-length pants and metallic gold oxfords.

Sporty pieces were done in feminine materials, with a sweatshirt and matching sweatpants made of silver lurex as a shining example.  The Rykiel brand’s signature stripes appear sparsely in this collection, which seemed to use primarily solid colors – mustard, orange and khaki green stood out – with the occasional polka dot or leopard print piece.

Andy Warhol and his muses, which were the inspiration, appeared not in any literal sense but rather through the cultivated carefree intelligence of the pieces.  One gets the sense that the wearer of the casually slouchy, sometimes downright oversized, pieces knows exactly who she is and is not trying to hide in her clothing.  She does not want her 15 minutes of fame, but a lasting impression.

Photo Gallery: Sonia by Sonia Rykiel Pre-Fall 2013
photos by Stéphane Gallois for Sonia by Sonia Rykiel

Video: Sonia by Sonia Rykiel Pre-Fall 2013

video courtesy of Sonia by Sonia Rykiel