French designer Sonia Rykiel passes away

Legendary French fashion designer Sonia Rykiel passed away at her home in Paris on August 25, she was 86.

Rykiel's daughter, Nathalie Rykiel, managing and artistic director of the Sonia Rykiel fashion label, released a statement announcing the designer's death and confirming the cause as the effects of Parkinson's. 'My mother died at 5:00 this morning at her home in Paris from the effects of Parkinson's,' she said, according to the BBC.

'It is a sad day but Sonia Rykiel leaves behind her an extraordinary legacy,'said Jean-Marc Loubier, chairman and chief executive of First Heritage Brands, the parent company of the Sonia Rykiel label.

Known as 'The Queen of Knitwear,' the pioneer of Parisian womenswear had a 15-year battle with Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological condition. She initially kept her diagnosis private but made it public in 2012 in a book entitled 'N'oubliez pas que je joue' when her symptoms became too difficult to disguise. She stepped down from her role as CEO and artistic director in 1995 but remained close to the label, serving as honorary president.

Rykiel is survived by her daugher Nathalie and son Jean-Philippe. Her last collection will show in Paris next month.

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