This is a huge loss for the fashion world.
Sonia Rykiel, iconic French designer and a pioneer in the industry, has passed away at the age of 86 from complications of Parkinson’s disease.
During her lifetime, the designer was lauded for her groundbreaking contributions, such as being the first to make maternity clothes that actually flattered and revealed a woman’s pregnant shape instead of hiding it.
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Similar to how Coco Chanel liberated women from corsets, Rykiel focused on making clothes for the average woman who valued functionality over fussiness.
In the 1980s, her empire expanded to include fragrances, menswear, and accessories, but she retired in 2009, handing over the reins of her business to daughter Nathalie.
Rykiel was twice given the Legion of Honor, the highest award in France, by French Presidents Francois Mitterrand and Nicolas Sarkozy.
May she rest in peace!
Check out some more pics of her and her designs worn by celebs in the gallery (above)!
[Image via AP Images.]