Fashion icon and Vogue contributing editor André Leon Talley will interview acclaimed designer and writer Nathalie Rykiel about her memoir Ecoute-moi bien and the lasting legacy of her mother Sonia Rykiel.

Ecoute-moi bien is a love letter dedicated to Sonia Rykiel—creator, colleague, friend, and mother—as well as a poignant reflection of Nathalie’s care for Sonia during her terminal struggle with Parkinson’s disease.

Under the careful direction and consultation of Nathalie, Sonia Rykiel Company has expanded beyond a fashion house best known for the iconic poor boy sweater and Sonia’s original fashion techniques to include a children’s line, lingerie, fragrance, men’s wear, and concept stores that connect to literature and contemporary cultural.

The conversation will be followed by a book signing and reception.

In English

• About Nathalie Rykiel
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    Born in Paris to Sonia and Sam Rykiel, Nathalie Rykiel became part of her mother’s eponymous fashion house as a model in 1976 then became artistic director of the brand in 1995 (Children, Fragances, Sextoys in the heart of St Germain des Près). In 1994, she was creative consultant to Robert Altman for his movie Prêt à porter. In 2000, she became “the face” for Rykiel Rose, the new fragrance of the house. In 2007, she became president of Sonia Rykiel. One year later, she celebrated the house’s 40th anniversary by inviting 30 of the most famous fashion designers in the world (Karl Lagerfeld, Ralph Lauren, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Donna Karan, Michael Kors, Martin Margiela, Albert Elbaz, Giorgio Armani, Yohji Yamamoto, and others) to offer their vision of the Rykiel woman. She staged this outstanding homage as the finale of a spectacular runway show at the Parc de Saint Cloud in Paris, followed by an exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. In 2012, she sold the company and stepped down as president, remaining a consultant until 2016. Since then, she has dedicated herself to a career in writing. She is on the jury of several literary prizes.
    Her book Ecoute-moi bien was published in 2017. In March 2020, her fifth book will be published in France.

• About André Leon Talley
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    Style and cultural icon André Leon Talley earned a master’s degree in French from Brown. In New York, he interned for Diana Vreeland and was introduced to Andy Warhol. Talley worked as an editor for Warhol’s Interview magazine, and became a fashion editor for Women’s Wear Daily before eventually becoming Paris Bureau Chief for both Women’s Wear Daily and W. In 1983, Talley became a writer for Vogue and was named Creative Director after only five years. At the magazine, he pens monthly columns, frequent features, and interviews—including the celebrated cover story of First Lady Michelle Obama in 2009.