Rachida Dati, the French Minister of Culture, on Monday honoured Georgian fashion designer Demna Gvasalia, the Creative Director of the Paris-based fashion house Balenciaga, with the title of the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters for his contributions to fashion and culture.

Gvasalia becomes the first designer from Georgia to receive one of France’s highest ministerial awards, which recognises contributions to the arts, literature, or promotion of these fields.