Sonia Rykiel has died.
Sonia Rykiel
The French fashion designer - who launched her first store for her eponymous label in 1968 after she began to design her own maternity sweaters in 1962 - passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning (25.08.16) aged 86 after battling with Parkinson's disease for 15 years.
The news of Sonia's death has been confirmed by her 60-year-old daughter Nathalie Rykiel.
Speaking about her loss to WWD, Nathalie said: "My mother died at 05:00 this morning at her home in Paris from the effects of Parkinson's."
The flame haired creative mastermind - who was awarded The Order of Légion d'Honneur for her 40-year span at the helm of the fashion industry in 2009 - was diagnosed with the neurological condition in 2012.
Despite suffering with the disease for almost two decades Sonia still remained as the honorary president of the company, although she was forced to stop designing luxury garments and highly popular clothing lines for the brand.
Sonia had previously kept her condition private from her peers and her fans but opened up about her diagnosis in a book when she couldn't conceal it any longer.
Meanwhile, Nathalie - who was appointed Artistic Director and CEO of Sonia Rykiel in 1995, and was promoted to President in 2007 - is believed to remain as the consultant for the brand, whilst artistic director Julie de Libran will continue with the ready-to-wear collection in preparation for Paris Fashion Week next month.