Diane Pernet: Tell me, Sonia, what are your views on sensuality?

Sonia Rykiel: It’s a word, an attitude, a knit sweater on a naked skin.

DP: Religion?

SR: I’m Russian Jewish but I have none.

DP: Romanticism?

SR: Secrets. Lies. I am a liar, like many artists...

DP: Darkness?

SR: Darkness is about showing what you decide to show, a kind of manipulation. It’s about black, all black, there are many shades…

DP: Raw Street?

SR: Boulevard Saint Germain.

DP: Who are the people that helped to form who you are now?

SR: My family, and my men.

DP: We all know that fashion has changed, but has it changed for you?

SR: Technology has changed. The more I do fashion, the more I dress the same way everyday.

DP: How have you changed for it?

SR: By looking at things differently.

DP: You inspired Robert Altman to make his film on the fashion industry, how did that come about?

SR: He came to see a show in New York, came backstage and proposed doing a film on fashion to me. I  said why not! Ten years later, he did it. I had him choose Anouck Aimée to play my character.

DP: Which directors do you admire? Has a film ever inspired a collection?

SR: All about Eve has inspired one. I love Wim Wenders, Fellini and the Italian filmmakers in general. They are geniuses. 

DP: What kind of music do you like?

SR: Classical, but also rock ’n’ roll.

DP: Which authors do you like to read?

SR: Chateaubriant, Barthes, Nathalie Sarraute, Hélène Cixous, Colette…

DP: Do you have a favourite poet or a favourite song?
SR: I love Louise Labbé, Verlaine, Baudelaire.

DP: Several years ago, you came out with your range of sex toys - that was pretty revolutionary for a designer of your status. How did that come about and what are your thoughts on sex in general?

SR: I feel that it was normal, it is part of a woman’s life. Pleasure should not be taboo and sex toys were naturally something I thought could be part of the story. [My daughter] Nathalie Rykiel implemented them.

DP: You are probably the only designer in Paris who has their models smiling and enjoying wearing their clothes, how do you explain that?

SR: Because wearing a dress is about living in it, it’s about creating a character and it’s simply nicer, happier and fresher to see a woman smiling. Being serious is not a sign of charm, it’s the contrary. Happiness, wellness, and fun is way more charming and seductive.

DP: Is ‘lasting’ important to you? Do you want your house to go on forever?

SR: I would love it to, yes. Independence, family, lasting is very important.

DP: If you were a woman of 20 years old now would you still go into fashion?

SR: I don’t know. Maybe I’d be an actress, though I would write and I would dream to be a writer.

DP: If you started today would you still do the same things that you are doing? Would you be doing, for example, rave wear?

SR: It would be impossible to do it the same way. I was very lucky and I had a great freedom that is less common today...

DP: Thank you and thank you for all that you represent.

DP