THE KNIGHT INSIGNIA OF THE NATIONAL ORDER OF THE LEGION OF HONOUR Paris, 17th of November 2011 Mrs Sophie Grégoire, 43 years old, CEO of the Agnelle glove factory, was decorated of the Knight insignia of the National Order of the Legion of Honour by the French President, Mr Nicolas Sarkozy at the “Palais de l’Elysées”, Wednesday 16th of November 2011. Extract of President  Sarkozy’s speech: “Sophie Grégoire, you represent the French tradition of artisanal art. The commune of St Junien in the Haute Vienne has been well known for its glove manufacturing since the Middle Ages. You are at the head of the company Agnelle, which was founded by your great-grandfather. Following your mother’s footsteps, you managed to increase the glove production, by working with  successful couture houses and young designers. In order to defend the French know how against the competition, you managed to associate the constraints of a manual technical confection with a more modernized production. You established your own brand, you turned your company towards exportation, and when the American group which had bought your company decided to abandon the glove manufacturing, you decided to buy the company back from them; that is what we call character! Because you  have maintained, and  passed on the excellence of the French know how, which makes our country successful, your company received the EPV label, “Living Heritage Company”. Last year, you received the prize for being the Businesswoman of the year. Today it’s the French Republic which is rewarding your work by giving you this decoration.”Sophie Grégoire shares this distinction with the 45 employees from the Agnelle glove factory, as well as the Couture Houses and the clients that have trusted her all these years.

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