After two seasons of shows at her Boulevard Saint-Germain boutique, Sonia Rykiel returned to a larger space today. Just as you can count on her models smiling and slapping high fives, you can be sure that if it's Fall, there will be plenty of knits. A trio in colorful stripes evoked not only vintage Rykiel, but also her recent collection for H&M. Smart move: Lure them with fast fashion and hook them with the real thing. Also mingling on the runway were cardigan dresses, both fitted and slouchy; a frock that looked as if it were made from a pair of sweaters, one wrapped around the waist, the other around the bust; and some familiar trompe l'oeil faux-layered numbers.
What looked different for Rykiel, and like a nod to the current moment, were the oversize takes on classic menswear: a big, boxy suit with rolled cuffs (a bit too big, actually), a long red trench fastened with a giant safety pin, and baggy knit cargos held up by suspenders. By the finale, we were back in familiar territory, with models not yet born when the tune came out singing Nirvana's "Come as You Are" as they traipsed down the catwalk in coquettish ostrich-feather tanks, tunics, and coats. All in all, it was a bit predictable, but still loads of fun.
