Sonia Rykiel

Decidedly French in its sensibilities yet utterly unique in its style, the Sonia Rykiel fashion house has been producing breathtaking, high-end designs since the label launched in the early 1960s. This shop is the label’s only free-standing store in the US; a triumphant return to the Upper East Side, and Madison Avenue, after its original New York City location closed in 2011. Rykiel’s signatures— stripes configured into sleek forms; quirky yet elegant pattern combinations; edgy fur accents; and long, stately silhouettes—are all on display here, and the shop seems crafted with those designs in mind. The 2,000 square foot store features blaring red walls, cafe-style tables and seating, and more than a thousand French books to peruse, making your Parisian shopping experience complete.