Fashion designer Sonia Rykiel was born on May 25, 1930, in Paris, France. She began designing clothes as a hobby. Her designs for her husband's boutique, Laura, were well-received, leading to the opening of a boutique in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris, in 1968. She transformed everyday knitwear into elegant, fashionable pieces, and in 1970, WWD magazine dubbed her the "Queen of Knitwear." Her business expanded beyond women's wear to include children's clothing, perfume, and home décor. In 1983, she was awarded the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Ministry of Culture in recognition of her contributions to the fashion industry. In 1989, her daughter, Nathalie Rykiel, launched her second line, Sonia By. In 2007, Nathalie took over as art director and led the brand. Since then, she has continued to develop new ventures, including a collaborative collection with H&M.

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