Sonia Rykiel released its first fragrance in 1979. Sonia Rykiel is the eponymous fashion design house of founder Sonia Rykiel. She began designing clothes in 1962 while pregnant with her first child, unable to find anything to wear that fit. In a whirlwind of success, she was called “Queen of Knits” by Women’s Wear Daily in 1972 and went on to live up to her reputation. Her daughter Nathalie Rykiel was chosen to succeed her mother as president of the company in 2007.