Valentino Garavani Paris - Arabstoday Valentino has been honoured in France for his services to the fashion industry. The Italian designer was awarded the prestigious Commandeur de l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres medal during a lavish ceremony in Paris to celebrate his achievements since founding his eponymous fashion house in 1959 until his retirement in 2008. Aurelie Filippetti, France's minister of culture and communications, presented him with the award and announced: "Uncontested ambassador of Italian elegance, prodigy of fit and dedicated colour-master, you have managed to blend modernity, classicism and romanticism like few before, creating that inimitable bright red colour, that 'Valentino red', bright, ardent and flamboyant, which matches your dexterity. You have never left centre stage, as you were recently honoured by the New York City Ballet for the costumes you created."