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Underground > Art, Fashion & Design >

Joseph Corre turns down MBE

Tryphena Absent

09:58 / 22.06.07

As printed in the papers over the last few days and discussed here, Joseph Corre, a co-founder of Agent Provocateur, has turned down an MBE. He said "Initially I was very flattered to have my work with Agent Provocateur recognised by the establishment. It even gave me a kick to imagine what some of the Bureaucrats and Censors I have had to fight up to now must think.

However, after some serious reflection I have decided that I cannot accept it. This in no way reflects on my opinion of the Queen whom I respect and would be honoured to have as a customer."

I think this is far more interesting then Salman Rushdie's acceptance and the political hoohaa surrounding that.

Do you think Corre deserved an MBE? Is he right to turn it down and do you think his statement means anything?

10:18 / 22.06.07

Interesting that his partner accepted. Ooh, where's that old Benjamin Zephaniah thread?

Janean Patience

10:42 / 22.06.07

I think this is far more interesting then Salman Rushdie's acceptance and the political hoohaa surrounding that.

Why? There's nothing new about MBEs being turned down as political protests. The demonstrations against Rushdie's knighthood are, IMHO, a reflection of 1989 and the Satanic Verses days and if nothing else show that row should have been taken more seriously by the British public. What's interesting about Corre's actions?

10:53 / 22.06.07

Do you think he deserves an awared Anna? I don't know what "services to the fashion industry" really entails, other than as a way of saying he's been awarded almost as an inevitabilty following a certain amount of success in a certain field - arguably you could say the same about Rushdie of course. It's not exactly a risky move in joining in with the popular idea that Blair is "morally corrupt", and by making a public statement in this manner Corre attracts more (likely positive) publicity than either silent acceptance or rejection, while still explicitly courting the establishment. His stance has none of Zephaniah's impassioned attack on the honours system as a whole, for example. I don't know that you can say the motivation for his rejection of the award isn't genuine, but there's just a slight sense (to me) of wanting to have it both ways (seeming to accept the principles behind the process, but exploiting an opportunity to appear edgy) plus he changed his mind about it before making this statement, so I'm left thinking about how grounded his principles really are.

Regrettable Juvenilia

11:56 / 22.06.07

I don't know that you can say the motivation for his rejection of the award isn't genuine

"...But let's cast some aspertions on his thinking anyway"?

I don't see what's so bad about daring to admit he changed his mind.

Glenn Close But No Cigar

12:12 / 22.06.07

Interesting that his partner accepted. Ooh, where's that old Benjamin Zephaniah thread?

Well, it may have something to do with the fact that they recently separated (she'd being having an affair with Paul Simonon of the Clash), and can't stand each other.

God, just reread the above, and realised that I sound like Heat magazine.

Janean Patience

12:23 / 22.06.07

His mother's a Dame as well. Perhaps this wasn't a political act at all but, like a 13-year-old becoming vegetarian, just a way to further family arguments?

12:37 / 22.06.07

Well, there's nothing wrong with him changing his mind, but presumably he didn't just decide that Tony Blair was morally incapable of granting awards in the intervening time, which suggests that his antipathy towards recieving an honour from that source was a bit half-hearted to begin with. Either that or I'm being heartless and unfair of course.

Tryphena Absent

13:07 / 22.06.07

I think you are being unfair, there's no reason why you wouldn't accept on impulse and then when rationality set in second guess that impulse.

I actually agree with Zephaniah's views on the honours list so in a sense it's difficult for me to have an opinion on how the honours are awarded. Actually I don't believe that prizes should exist generally. If the birthday honours list must exist then it should include people who have worked over an extended period of time. I don't think 13 years running a chain of shops cuts the mustard. If they must do this (which they shouldn't) then surely it should truly be about profile and empire building in the truest sense? Agent Provocateur introduced racy underwear to a much broader market but it remains a niche shop (very middle class, over-priced, the nice side of naughty). I'm of two minds.

Janean Patience

13:55 / 22.06.07

I'm struggling to see what you find interesting about this, Anna. Successful businesspeople get MBEs as a matter of course, whether they're in the business of making sexy panties or concrete floors. This particular businessman is better known than most because of his product, and because Kylie once made a advert for him, and because of his parents. He's turned down an MBE because of Blair's wars. Understandable and commendable but it doesn't really bring anything new to the debate about the wars or about honours. What's aroused your interest? His business? His refusal?

Tryphena Absent

22:44 / 22.06.07

Well actually it's Agent Provocateur that interests me, the notion of fashion dynasties and the institutionalisation of such businesses when they are condoned by the state and the idea of rejecting that. Corre doesn't talk about these things, he's rejected the reward for much simpler reasons but it's the broad implications of industry and family that I find interesting here.