Since 1909, our entire business model has been designed to create and safeguard the conditions for creativity to thrive. Everything we do as a company is intended to support, enable, and feed creativity: the way we run the business, how we measure performance, our care for our people, and the way we protect and preserve our savoir faire. The history of CHANEL has always been one of disruption, of daring to think and act differently, of creating new trends. Here are some key examples of how CHANEL has set the trend for luxury over the past 100 years: 1978 2011 THE HOUSE OF CHANEL EXPANDS FONDATION CHANEL CHANEL introduces its first Ready-to-Wear collection CHANEL launches Fondation CHANEL and the worldwide distribution of its line of accessories. to support women as agents of social change throughout the world. 1981 2013 Jacques Polge is named CHANEL opens an extension in director of the Laboratoire Parfum Pantin, one of the most modern de CHANEL, following in the research centers in cosmetics. footsteps of Ernest Beaux and Henri Robert. Following the retirement of his father, Jacques, Olivier Polge 1983 becomes the director of Fragrance Karl Lagerfeld is appointed artistic Creation and Development director for CHANEL FASHION, for CHANEL. designer of all Haute Couture, Ready- 2016 to-Wear, and accessory collections. 1993 Through the launch of La MONTRE The first CHANEL fine jewelry MONSIEUR, CHANEL unveils its collection launches in first watch with a movement Place Vendôme, Paris. designed and manufactured completely in-house. 2000 2017 CHANEL launches the J12, the first watch with a case made out CHANEL launches the new of black ceramic, a high-tech GABRIELLE CHANEL FRAGRANCE material inspired from the field and GABRIELLE HANDBAG. of aeronautical engineering. 2002 Through its subsidiary Paraffection, 1987 CHANEL acquires eight traditional The first line of CHANEL Watches Parisian fashion ateliers, creating launches the PREMIÈRE WATCH, the Métiers d’Art show. designed by Jacques Helleu.