In the late 1960s, Vera Wang studied at the Sorbonne, a time during which she became a quintessential Parisienne. Case in point: the Yves Saint Laurent wardrobe, the teas at Carette on the Place du Trocadéro, and the nights spent at legendary haunts like Chez Régine and Castel (for more on Wang and Paris, check out Vogue.com and the New York Times). Since then, Paris has continued to be a constant in her life, through 17 years at Vogue, the stint at Ralph Lauren, and the inspiring career that followed as an independent designer.

On Tuesday, the French Republic returned the honor when it bestowed Wang with the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. Gérard Araud, the Ambassador of France to the United States, pinned her with France’s highest order during a ceremony at Les Invalides. Anna Wintour, who could not attend, asked Hamish Bowles to read out a heartfelt letter she penned for the occasion. To honor Vera, we decided to print the letter in its entirety:

My Dearest Vera,

Since I can’t be with you on this amazing day, I’ve asked Hamish to read this note on my behalf to everyone who is able to share in the delight of watching you receive your well-deserved recognition. But, most of all, Vera, this note is for you.

I guess I should let everyone know just how long we have been friends. Vera was the very first person I met when I started to work at American Vogue one day back in 1983. She had already been there 11 years by that point, swapping her education at the Sorbonne for a whole other learning curve under the formidable fashion editor Polly Mellen. The story around Vera’s first day at work is very Vera: She had arrived at the office in a pristine white Saint Laurent shirt dress, platforms, hair impeccably coiffed, her perfectly manicured nails painted a vivid shade of red. Polly apparently took one look and said: “We do a lot of work on our hands and knees here. Not in Saint Laurent white crepe de Chine.”

Vera darted off home, and came back scrubbed and pared down, jeans, short nails, hair pulled back, more than ready to work. And when I think of our time together, that’s what I always remember—no one was more industrious than you. That, and the fact that no one at Vogue was funnier. Or louder. Or more neurotic. Or more endearing. Knowing you, I am absolutely sure you laughed afterwards at the ridiculousness of that first day’s outfit, because for all your flights of fantasy, you’ve always remained utterly real—and humorously realistic—about life.

It’s what has characterized your brilliant and often-times daring career: Leaving Vogue to design for Ralph Lauren in your 30s. A mother, wife, and independent business-woman who revolutionized the wedding dress in your 40s, giving us modernity and chic on a woman’s big day, and delivering us from having to look like over-aerated cream puffs. And then, in your 50s, becoming the brave and forward-thinking designer that we all respect and admire today. Vera is a designer who has not only always given so much to American fashion, but also given back through so many important philanthropic causes; most recently, co-founding the New York–Presbyterian Youth Anxiety Center, helping kids navigate their way through the demands and complexities of modern life.

Vera, I know that you are receiving this award because of other work you’ve done on behalf of young people, and working to promote French culture here in the US. Yet I like to think it’s yours because when we think of awards we think of bravery, service, duty. You believe passionately in the advancement of women, and of being progressive and internationalist in your outlook on life, business, fashion, politics – everything. You so deserve being made a Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur. I couldn’t be happier for you, or more proud of you. Congratulations!

With love,

Anna