Top Colombian designer Haider Ackermann received an honorary designation from President Juan Manuel Santos on Thursday, local media reported.
The 39-year-old received the recognition for his many contributions to the world of fashion.
Ackermann’s popularity has surged in recent years, after more than a decade of working in fashion. As a now internationally-renowned designer, he has dressed showbiz personalities such as Victoria Beckman, Penelope Cruz and Janet Jackson.
“I am honored, amazed, dazzled, you can put all the adjectives you want. It is an honor to be here”, he said in response to receiving the designation.
Akermann was born in Colombia but spent his childhood abroad in places like Ethiopia, Chad, Algeria, France, and the Netherlands. The diverse background is reflected in his work which draws upon high and low fashion and materials from all over the world.