Scene setting: The heart motif is a signature symbol of the Sonia Rykiel brand, and for its A/W 2017 show, held at the grand École des Beaux-Arts, creative director Julie de Libran erected a giant foil heart at the head of the runway. The motif also emphasised the influence of the late French sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle, once photographed wearing a silk dress adorned with romantic hearts, and whose colourful mosaic designs featured silvery reflective fragments.
Mood board: Colourful patchwork plaids and hand-finished Aran knits reflected Saint Phalle’s prismatic aesthetic, while silk dresses, trousers and high-necked blouses were printed with graphic designs resembling mosaics. High-shine coats evoked the artist’s use of plastics, presented alongside more military focused double-breasted coats in khaki and cream. A series of bohemian looks in the finale featured v-neck dresses embellished with bright feathers, and long padded gilets, both essential pieces for a sophisticated French girl in festival mode.
Best in show: A double-breasted striped jacket with shining gold buttons was cinched at the waist before flaring architecturally over the body, while a khaki utilitarian jacket featured Saint Phalle-inspired panels of plaid and denim.
Sonia Rykiel A/W 2017.
Sonia Rykiel A/W 2017.
Sonia Rykiel A/W 2017.
Sonia Rykiel A/W 2017.
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Must-visit cinemas with award-worthy designCreativity leaps the screen at these design-led cinemas, from Busan Cinema Centre’s record-flying roof to The Gem Cinema Jaipur’s art deco allure
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The modernist home of musician Imogen Holst gets Grade II listingThe daughter of the composer Gustav Holst lived here from 1964 until her death, during which time the home served a locus for her own composition work, which included assisting Benjamin Britten
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This fun and free-spirited photography exhibition offers a chromatic view on the world‘Chromotherapia’ at Villa Medici in Rome, explores how we view colour as a way of therapy, and how it has shaped photography over the last century (until 9 June 2025)
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Palace unites with Rapha to celebrate inaugural Tour de France FemmesMarking the first time women will compete in the historic cycling race since the late 1980s, this new collaboration sees Palace Skateboards and Rapha create uniforms for both on and off the bike – including an ‘outlandish’ pair of Crocs
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Paris Fashion Week A/W 2022: Chanel to Miu MiuIn this extended report, Wallpaper* updates you live from Paris Fashion Week A/W 2022 shows, with rolling coverage as runway events unfold
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Scene-stealing runway sets from S/S 2022 womenswear showsFrom giant roulette wheels to Olympic diving boards and multi-city synchronized extravaganzas – our pick of the best fashion show sets from S/S 2022 womenswear
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Louis Vuitton A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women's -
Chanel A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women’s -
Y/Project A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women's -
Sacai A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women's -
Alexander McQueen A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women’s
