Lola Rykiel—Granddaughter of Sonia—Launches a Collection of Her Own
Lola Rykiel—Granddaughter of Sonia—Launches a Collection of Her Own
Lola Rykiel’s grandmother made French fashion history. Sonia Rykiel launched her eponymous collection in 1968, just as the prêt-à-porter concept was emerging as an easier, more everyday answer to Paris haute couture. Rykiel’s signature was her knits, which she encouraged her customers to wear sans bras, in keeping with the liberal spirit of the era. She was successful because of her specificity, but she also became known for materials like marabou and velour. Fifty-one years on, thanks most recently to the efforts of artistic director Julie de Libran, the label is synonymous with the Left Bank and gamine insouciance.
Today, Lola is following in her grandmother’s chic footsteps and launching a collection called Pompom that has a specificity all its own. Rykiel trained in the Martha Graham method as a young person and practices Pilates and Gyrotonic now, and the hoodies, “boyfriend shorts,” track suits, and leggings she’s made are designed to stand up to the gym, as well as the street. “Sportswear, but make it chic,” she says with a laugh. “What I loved most about dance was the practice outfits, but as an adult I never found the right clothes for working out.” Especially not in Paris where exercise culture is still a novelty. (She recently relocated to the city of her birth from a long stint in New York, where she established the public relations agency Le Chocolat Noir, representing, among others, the jeweler Marie-Hélène de Taillac.)
What makes the Pompom pieces “right” are the little details. The high waist and flattering curving seams of the leggings, for example, ensure the look of longer legs. And the vibrantly shaded cotton-blend velour sweatshirts and sweatpants—a nod to Lola’s famous grandmother—are entirely machine-washable. As for the label name, it too comes from Sonia, who, says Lola, “used to put pompoms on everything.” Like grandmother, like granddaughter: Lola was married in 2017 in a de Libran–designed white jumpsuit, marabou-trimmed jacket, and high heels with pompom accents.
Pompom will be available for sale in November at pompom-paris.com.
Originally Appeared on Vogue
