Surrounded by family, friends and over one thousand of his fellow countrymen, Vancouver fashion icon Alberto Leone was knighted by Italy’s ambassador to Canada during a gala ceremony at the Italian Cultural Centre.

The honour was bestowed upon Leone in recognition of his distinguished career in couture. The clothier’s celebrated high-fashion boutique at the historic Sinclair Centre on West Hastings Street is a must-stop for fashion-forward shoppers, many of them style-savvy Asians.

The former hair stylist to the rich and famous, who moved from Italy to Canada in 1961 before arriving in Vancouver a decade later, was humbled by the knighthood, known as the ‘Cavalierato.’

"I’m deeply honoured," said Leone, as he showed his gold medal to his curious grandchildren. "This is a very proud day for me and for all of my family."

Leone was one of only three Italian Canadians awarded the Cavalierato at the Italian National Day celebrations. Celso Boscariol, a lawyer, and Lucio Sacchetti, an entrepreneur, were also recognised by ambassador Gabriele Sardo in a ceremony that featured timeless classics from the Italian Choir of British Columbia and The Vancouver Italian Folk Chorus — as well as a rousing performance by The Vancouver police pipe band.

"This is a big day for dad," said Leone’s son, Marcello, who joined his mother Maria and sister Patrizia in the front rows of the Great Ballroom, not far from Consul General Uberto Vanni d’Archirafi and Vancouver Police Chief Jim Chu.

Leone’s boutique was still abuzz this week with the honour bestowed upon its founder, who in 1987 folded several stores into his one flagship fashion house, now a premiere shopping stop with well-heeled Asian women.

"Our buyer really considers our customers," said employee Sherry Liao. "She looks for different clothing that would appeal to different cultures. . . many of our customers are Asian but we do have a very diverse clientele."

Liao praised Alberto Leone as a hard-working, "wonderful" man.

"He definitely deserves the recognition," she said. "It is great for him, and for the store!"