Bad news for Sonia Rykiel — the brand has been forced to liquidate operations immediately. As reported by Business of Fashion, its owner, First Heritage Brands, was unable to find a buyer for the label, and a commercial court judge “rejected the lone remaining bidder for the company.” It’s archives, intellectual property, and its six stores across France and Monaco will all be sold.
View this post on Instagram
Sonia Rykiel founded her namesake label in the early 1960s with the creation of her “poor boy” sweater. The designer crafted the item because she was unable to find flattering maternity clothes. The garment — a lightweight, tight fitting knit — went on to become a sensation. Rykiel’s style heralded a new era for fashion in which upscale ready-to-wear had as much authority on what women wore as couture did. At its heigh, Sonia Rykiel had boutiques all over the globe, and even spawned a diffusion line, Sonia by Sonia Rykiel. Rykiel herself passed away in 2016.
The brand filed for bankruptcy in the US and closed stores in New York in March. A month later, it filed for bankruptcy protection in France. At the time, the brand was placed into receivership until June as it searched for a new owner.
Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on all the latest fashion news and juicy industry gossip.
