A French Honour

Wendell Rodricks

He was responsible for bringing traditional weaves and dyeing into focus, way before the textile movement in India became popular.

Designer Wendell Rodricks has instituted several firsts in the fashion industry in his over two-decade-long career and was given the Padma Shri earlier this year. Now, the designer has been bestowed the esteemed Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres (Knight in the National Order of Arts and Letters) by the Minister of Culture and Communications, Paris, Aurélie Fillipetti.

The French honour, initiated in 1957, recognises people who have contributed significantly to literature and the arts. The French Ambassador Francois Richier conveyed the distinction of the decoration to the designer. “To get this distinction is an affirmation that any humble craft can be recognised internationally,” said the designer.