Scene setting: Julie de Libran headed off-site for this season’s Sonia Rykiel show, which surpassed the usual Saint-Germain des Prés boutique locale for the grander Beaux-Arts de Paris nearby. Inside the school of fine arts, guests were handed blankets to rug up against the chilly night air.
Mood board: Three generations of Rykiel women had their imprints all over this collection (quite literally). De Libran worked with artist Maggie Cardelús on the season’s illustrated ’Le Visages’ print that utilised portraits of Sonia, Nathalie and Lola Rykiel as well as the designer and Cardelús, which embellished the collection’s 1970s style, midi-length looks (including a skirt suit cut in leather and other ruffle front frocks) along with co-ordinating leather boots.
Best in show: There were plenty of bolero-length jackets this season, but the most patriotic crop top was easily a striped, paillette-covered jumper of white, black, navy and gold sequins. De Libran’s striking selection of individual coats also held their own in the outerwear stakes, from a fur finished plaid overcoat to a shaggy pea coat and longline leopard-trimmed cardigan.
