Celebrating 40 years of the « maison Rykiel », more than 440 pieces of clothing and numerous photos show the evolution of her style, all presented in a the décor of a Haussmann-style Paris apartment…

photo: all rights reserved


The exhibition is blithely called « Sonia Rykiel, Exhibition », reflecting the simplicity of a woman who hardly dares believe the success that she has had. Here are a few quotations:

« I’m an impostor in fashion. I’ve never studied sewing, I don’t know how to knit and despite all that I’ve become the queen of knitted clothes. If that is not imposture, I don’t know what is. »

« Ten years after starting out, I said to myself: they’re going to realise that I’m not a professional… but nothing happened at all, so I carried on. »

« I don’t revolutionise. Ever. I evolve. »

photo: all rights reserved

Known for her famous stripes, black and using towelling, her clothes are being shown together with photos by Dominique Issermann, a video of Rykiel being interviewed by Andy Warhol (as well as two of his paintings), and – at the end of the exhibition – the thirty creations specially made for the 40th anniversary catwalk show in October 2008.

photo de maddsmadds utilisée sous licence cc

Here’s all the essential information for the exhibition called, er, Sonia Rykiel – Exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris

When: 20th November 2008 – 19th April 2009
Where: Musée des Arts Décoratifs, 107 rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris. Métro Palais-Royal (lines 1 & 7)
Opening hours: Tuesday – Friday, 11am – 6pm, weekends 10am – 6pm, Thursdays 10am – 9pm. Closed Mondays
Entrance fee: adults 8 euros, concessions 6.5 euros. Free for under 18s
Official site: here

Bigger map here