Valentino Garavani honored by the American Academy of Achievement

Fashion designer Valentino Garavani has received the American Academy of Achievement's ‘Golden Plate Award'.

The Italian creative and co-founder of the luxury fashion house Valentino took to Instagram to share a photo of himself accepting the award from actor Jeremy Irons in London on Wednesday evening. The caption featured a quotation from the designer that read: "I am very humbled and grateful to receive this amazing honour. The past and present recipients are quite extraordinary and it is with great joy and respect that I accept this award, and that my work has been acknowledged amongst this esteemed group of leaders."

Every year, the American Academy of Achievement holds an ‘International Achievement Summit' to honor approximately 25 pioneers in the fields of arts, sciences, literature, sports and various other industries.

In claiming his golden plate, Garavani follows in the footsteps of fellow fashion honorees Oscar de la Renta, Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren and others. However, according to an article on valentinogaravanimuseum.com, he is the only European fashion designer to have received the honor.

Garavani officially retired from his fashion empire in 2007, leaving design duo Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli to take over as creative directors at the label. Chiuri left the house to take up the role of creative director at Christian Dior in 2016.