Arts and Letters: Ralph Pucci of Ralph Pucci International has been awarded the prestigious rank of Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, for his decades of contributions to art and design, particularly French creators.

Pucci was bestowed the honor at an intimate ceremony, which was attended by 50 of those closest to him and held on April 15 at Villa Albertine, the French Institute for Culture and Education, located in the historic Payne Whitney Mansion on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

“You have built far more than an extraordinary company. You have created a place where artists meet, where ideas take shape, where craftsmanship is honored, and where creation becomes a shared adventure,” said Mohamed Bouabdallah, cultural counselor of France in the U.S. and director of Villa Albertine, before presenting Pucci with the medal.

“You once told your daughter that your favorite day of the week is Monday. Let that sink in for a moment,” Bouabdallah said. “It does say a great deal about your energy. For you, Monday means returning to creation, to work and to the community you have built. That enthusiasm has never left you. You have built bridges between disciplines, between generations and between France and the United States. For your lasting contribution to the arts, for your support of artists across generations, and for the transatlantic dialogue you have done so much to nurture, we are proud to honor you tonight.”

Established in 1957 by the French Ministry of Culture, the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, conferred in three ranks — Chevalier, Officier, and Commandeur — recognizes eminent French artists, writers and cultural figures. Pucci joins a distinguished list of honorees, including Andrée Putman, Philippe Starck, David Hockney, Victoria Beckham, Bob Dylan, Leonardo DiCaprio, T.S. Eliot, Salman Rushdie and Stella McCartney. 

“To be recognized by the French government for a life devoted to art and design is something I could never have imagined when I began my career,” said Pucci. “I offer my deepest thanks to France for this distinction, and to Villa Albertine and Mohamed Bouabdallah for hosting us in a place devoted to cultural dialogue between France and the U.S.”

Pucci started off with his his family’s mannequin repair shop, which began producing highly stylized, upscale mannequins, designed by Putman, Kenny Scharf, Ruben Toledo, Rebecca Moses and others. High-end furniture beginning with Putman, as well as lighting, sculpture, paintings and photography were added to the repertoire. Pucci remained committed to craftsmanship, material innovation, and celebrating the hand of the artist. His Manhattan gallery and workshop has become a cultural center where the artists, designers and retailers gather for openings. Pucci also has galleries in Miami and Los Angeles. His commitment to the arts extends to supporting the Studio in a School program and the Jazz House Kids school.