Sonia Rykiel Has Parkinson’s Disease | French Fashion Designer Writes of Illness in New Book

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Sonia Rykiel

Sonia RykielFrench fashion designer Sonia Rykiel has revealed she’s been battling Parkinson’s Disease for the past 15 years.

Rykiel opens up about the debilitating disorder in her new book N’Oubliez Pas Que Je Joue, which translates as Don’t Forget It’s a Game. The book, co-authored by Judith Perrignon, also features the French journalist’s memories of time spent with Rykiel over the years.

Rykiel hasn’t looked well for years, but it seems few knew of the 81-year-old’s condition. She explains she’s tried to keep her illness a secret for years, but as her symptoms are becoming more noticeable she decided the time was right to go public.

I don’t want to show my pain,” she admitted in the book. “I resisted, I hesitated, I tried to be invisible, to pretend that nothing was wrong. It’s impossible, it’s not like me.

Sonia handed the reins of her namesake label to her daughter Nathalie many years ago, but even in retirement she has continued to be a fascinating figure in the fashion world. No doubt her many admirers will be keen to learn more about her story and her fight against Parkinson’s in N’Oubliez Pas Que Je Joue. It’s currently available through Amazon UK.

[Source: Fashionista]
[Image Source: Nicogenin/Wikipedia Commons]

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