Valentino Awarded Legion d’Honneur
The day after he showed his latest collection in Paris, design giant Valentino Garavani was decorated with France's Legion d'Honneur Thursday, July 6, at the Ministry of Culture, once Cardinal Richelieu's palace. First instituted by Napoleon, the order is given by the President of France and the French government to individuals for outstanding achievements in military or civil life. The award has five classes: Grand Croix (Grand Cross), Grand Officier (Grand Officer), Commandeur (Commander), Officier (Officer) and Chavalier (Knight). Valentino was inducted into the order at the chevalier level.
Arriving in France at the age of 17, early in his career, Valentino was an apprentice at Jean Desses, where he assisted Jacqueline de Ribes do sketches. He premiered his first show in 1962, and went on to design clothing for the elite, including the dress Jacqueline Kennedy wore for her wedding to Aristotle Onassis in 1967 and the wedding gown of Marie Chantal of Greece. He was given a lifetime achievement award from the American Council of Fashion Designers in 2000. He can be seen briefly with his friend Meryl Streep in the film The Devil Wears Prada.
Arriving in France at the age of 17, early in his career, Valentino was an apprentice at Jean Desses, where he assisted Jacqueline de Ribes do sketches. He premiered his first show in 1962, and went on to design clothing for the elite, including the dress Jacqueline Kennedy wore for her wedding to Aristotle Onassis in 1967 and the wedding gown of Marie Chantal of Greece. He was given a lifetime achievement award from the American Council of Fashion Designers in 2000. He can be seen briefly with his friend Meryl Streep in the film The Devil Wears Prada.