Sonia Rykiel, a French designer dubbed the "queen of knitwear" whose relaxed sweaters in berry-colored stripes and eye-popping motifs helped liberate women from stuffy suits, has died. His office didn't provide further details, and the Sonia Rykiel fashion house in Paris wouldn't comment. #SoniaRykiel the queen of knits passed away pic.twitter.com/6AYPQh7Scp — @larsvongFarewell #SoniaRykiel - the ultimate French fashion icon pic.twitter.com/Uatx0MEjND — @CIVILIANglobalFixture of Paris fashion sceneRykiel got her start by designing knit maternity dresses for herself. French designers Sonia Rykiel, right, and her daughter Nathalie Rykiel, artistic director for the fashion house Rykiel, are seen in 2007 in Paris. In 2008, a host of colleagues honoured Sonia Rykiel and the 40th anniversary of her fashion house by creating looks that paid homage to the French designer.

Source: CBC News August 25, 2016 13:57 UTC