Indian fashion designer Ritu Beri, who heads a French fashion brand, has been honoured with the Chevalier Des Arts et Des Lettres award, one of the highest civilian awards by the French government, for her contribution to the enrichment of Indo-French cultural relations.
The designer was confered with a medal by the French Ambassdor Jerome Bonnafont. The chief guest for the evening was union Home Minister P. Chidambaram.
Looking stunning in a black backless gown, the designer said, "I'm so overwhelmed that I could never imagine I would feel like what I'm feeling on stage today. My life has actually been a fairytale, I have always had crazy dreams - I'm a huge dreamer.
But this particular award was beyond my dreams. I never dreamt this could be ever possible, but it's a great honour and responsibilty which I have been confered with."
The Delhi-based designer displayed her creation on nearly 120-150 mannequins.
Ritu, who heads French fashion brand Scherrer, says the Indian fashion industry is young in the West but has a lot of scope to grow.
"Paris is very, very special and full of India. Although the Indian fashion industry is very young in the West, we are only 20 years old and have a long way to go."
"I'm here today because I'm an Indian and because I belive in India. Eveything I did across the border only reflected my love for India. And this is the only reason behind what I am today."
"Everyone in the West can do western outfits so beautifully, what they are wrought by is what we do here. And that is what I have woven in and followed."
The gathering comprised of some MPs, former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin, renowned beautician Shahnaz Hussain, writer-columnist Shobha De amongst others.
She concluded with keeping her hopes high by saying, "This dreamer will dream on."
