British fashion designer Sir Paul Smith has been awarded the Knighthood of the Order of the Star of Italy for being a “long-standing friend” of the European country. The Order of the Star of Italy was first introduced in the aftermath of the Second World War and was established to acknowledge Italians living abroad or foreigners who had made a particular contribution to the reconstruction of Italy. The Italian Ambassador to the UK, H.E. Inigo Lambertini, said that Smith was being honoured for “always maintaining an indissoluble bond with Italy,” as the majority of his creations, including the fabrics are produced in the country and showcase the excellence of Italian manufacturing and craftsmanship. Smith was awarded the accolade at the Residence of the Italian Ambassador in London on October 31.