Sonia Rykiel, Whimsical Fall

Everyone always wonders what Sonia Rykiel gives to her models backstage to get them all hyped up before a runway show. It's always a pleasure to go see a collection, knowing full well that you’ll be smiling the whole time the models strut the catwalk. And because Sonia Rykiel has yet to ever disappoint, we were all the more enamored by her latest fall 2010 collection.

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, 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.

In Sonia’s mind, she imagines her jubilant girls sporting a fancifully oversized pompom hat with matching pearl-studded high platform sandals. Crowd pleasers included a wool cardigan that served as a dress, tied at the waist with a multi-strap leather belt. A delightful 40’s inspired lambskin sac fermoir looks to be a palpable accessory come this winter.

There is something childlike and innocent about the pompom shaped head pieces, combined with smiling models and free fitting clothing, that makes this Sonia Rykiel collection uniquely quirky. Sonia was letting us relive our early childhood through her pieces. You got the sense that Sonia was taking us back to a time when she would play with everything in her mother’s boudoir – from the jewelry to the sewing kit. Stripes, oversized suits, feathers and fur all hit the runway as part of Rykiel's whimsical Fall 2010 collection.