The Tamesis
Nearly a decade after she was awarded an OBE in 2017, Victoria Beckham has added a new resume highlight, and this one is even more personal. This afternoon the designer received flowers in her beloved city of Paris and was awarded the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture in an intimate ceremony. “I’ve come a long way to get here and I’m so grateful to you, David – my husband and my original investor – for seeing my passion for this business and my determination to build something we can both be truly proud of. Thank you to my parents and my children for always believing in my vision. Everyone here has been a part of my journey and I’m so grateful to each and every one of you.”
Not long ago, Beckham also thanked her business partners David Bellhassen (David Bellhassen), Ralph Toledano (Ralph Toledano) and Neo Investment Partners, as well as her internal team for their support, “for their dedication, creativity and trust.”
For the occasion, Beckham chose a stylish black long-sleeved gown with a leg-revealing high cut on either side. She was joined by David and their children Cruz, Romeo and Harper Beckham, who all wore the same dark hue. Also present at the ceremony were Anna Wintour and Edward Enninful, François-Henri Pinault, Antoine Arnault, Haider Ackermann and Helena Christensen.
Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters——Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters– is France’s most prestigious honor, traditionally awarded by the French government to those who have made significant contributions to national and international art, literature and culture.
French Culture Minister Rashida Dati presented the honor to Beckham, praising him for staying true to his vision. “Over the years, through your shows, you have invented your own unique language. Behind the apparent simplicity lies a meticulous architectural work. One cut, one seam, one drape; enough to transform a piece. You have built this precision into your DNA. You don’t design to impress on the catwalk. You design clothes that you want to wear. For you, T There is no gap between the station and the boutique. Ultimately, it is this authenticity that makes luxury more accessible and accessible.”
“I am so grateful for this honor and your kind words. I am deeply patriotic and proud to be British, but France is one of the few places where fashion as an art form is taken with the seriousness it deserves,” Beckham continued. “I have always had a great appreciation for French aesthetics and to be recognized here and accepted in this way is a huge honor and reflects many years of commitment and dedication.”
victoria beckhamPierre Sue
Beckham’s recent Netflix documentary focuses on the former pop star’s journey to officially show off her collection in the capital during the Paris Fashion Week calendar. “Showing and feeling this sense of acceptance and belonging on the most important stage in the fashion calendar is something I really don’t take lightly and I will continue to work hard to deliver on it,” she said on Monday night. “Fashion is never the achievement of one person – from design to studio to production and communications teams and the combined efforts of many minds and hands, it is a collaborative effort and this distinction is not mine alone.”
After the ceremony, the Beckhams hurried past crowds of waiting paparazzi to attend a private dinner with friends, designers and editors to celebrate the honor.
