French fashion designer and celebrated “Queen of Knitwear”, Sonia Rykiel has passed at age 86. French President François Hollande  announced her death in a statement lauding Rykiel “a pioneer” who “offered women freedom of movement”.

Finding her voice in fashion during the 60’s and 70’s, Rykiel’s designs have always been about providing the new era of empowered women with equally empowering style options. Her sweaters came to symbolize freedom and rights for women over the course of her life and her label continues her fight posthumously.

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First posted on SHEmagazine.ca on August 25, 2016.

Photography courtesy of SoniaRykiel.com.