Sonia Rykiel: The Queen of Knits
- By The Museum at FIT
- In Fashion Designers
- Tagged with Sonia Rykiel
- On 8 Mar | '2017

Rykiel’s mastery of knit clothing earned her the nickname “The Queen of Knits.” The Museum at FIT has an impressive collection of her early designs, including this pantsuit made from double knit wool jersey. The jacket’s plush faux-fur trim belies what is otherwise an informal design: its loose fit, button-front closure, and patch pockets appear to take more inspiration from a casual cardigan than a traditional suit jacket. This design highlights Rykiel’s ethos that clothing should not be designed for a certain occasion or time of day—an idea that took root during the 1960s and continues to resonate today.
Laura (Sonia Rykiel) pantsuit
1965
Gift of Mary Cantwell
78.159.1
1965
Gift of Mary Cantwell
78.159.1
Paris Refashioned, 1957-1968 runs through April 15, 2017 at The Museum at FIT in NYC.