Sonja de Lennart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sonja de Lennart
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| Born | 21 May 1920 |
| Occupation | Fashion designer |
| Years active | 1945–present |
| Known for | Inventing capri pants |
Sonja de Lennart is a German fashion designer. She was born on May 21, 1920. She is well-known for inventing capri pants in 1948.
Contents
Early Life and Dreams
Sonja de Lennart was born in Prussia in May 1920. She grew up in a family with different cultures. Her father was a business leader.
A Young Athlete
When she was young, Sonja loved sports. She was a great swimmer and runner. By age eight, she had already won many swimming contests. In 1932, she ran in national youth races. She competed in the 100-meter and 1000-meter sprints.
Learning About Fashion
Sonja also loved theater. She was part of the Classic Theater Society. She was a talented ballet student in Breslau. Her teacher was the famous dancer Anna Capana.
After business college, Sonja wanted to be a fashion designer. Her father did not want her to do this. He even threatened to disinherit her. But Sonja secretly studied design. She learned at Erich Boehm Atelier and Herman Palm Atelier in Berlin. There, she became a master at making clothes. She learned to make everything from hats to evening gowns. She graduated as a textile engineer.
After World War II, Sonja became a member of the Handwerksrolle. This is a special group for skilled craftspeople. Her family lost their money during the war. Sonja used her fashion design skills to help her family get back on their feet.
Fashion Career
In 1945, after the war, Sonja de Lennart started her fashion business. She opened her first shop, Salon Sonja, in Munich. At first, she would cut paper to show customers how clothes would fit.
The Capri Collection
Sonja named her fashion line the Capri Collection. She named it after the beautiful Island of Capri. This island was very important to her.
She first created capri pants in the late 1940s. Actresses like Mady Rahl and Erni Mangold wore them in 1949. Capri pants had a small slit on the outside of the pant leg. They became very popular in 1954. This was after Audrey Hepburn wore them in the movie A Heart and a Crown.
In 1952, a famous costume designer named Edith Head used Sonja's Capri Collection. She used a skirt, a high-neck blouse, and capri pants. These were for Audrey Hepburn in the movie Roman Holiday.
