1978 THE HOUSE OF CHANEL EXPANDS CHANEL introduces its first Ready-to-Wear collection and the worldwide distribution of its line of accessories. 2011 FONDATION CHANEL CHANEL launches Fondation CHANEL to support women as agents of social change throughout the world. 2013 CHANEL opens an extension in Pantin, one of the most modern research centers in cosmetics. Following the retirement of his father, Jacques, Olivier Polge becomes the director of Fragrance Creation and Development for CHANEL. 2016 Through the launch of La MONTRE MONSIEUR, CHANEL unveils its first watch with a movement designed and manufactured completely in-house. 2017 CHANEL launches the new GABRIELLE CHANEL FRAGRANCE and GABRIELLE HANDBAG. 1981 Jacques Polge is named director of the Laboratoire Parfum de CHANEL, following in the footsteps of Ernest Beaux and Henri Robert. 1983 Karl Lagerfeld is appointed artistic director for CHANEL FASHION, designer of all Haute Couture, Ready- to-Wear, and accessory collections. 1987 The first line of CHANEL Watches launches the PREMIÈRE WATCH, designed by Jacques Helleu. 1993 The first CHANEL fine jewelry collection launches in Place Vendôme, Paris. 2000 CHANEL launches the J12, the first watch with a case made out of black ceramic, a high-tech material inspired from the field of aeronautical engineering. 2002 Through its subsidiary Paraffection, CHANEL acquires eight traditional Parisian fashion ateliers, creating the Métiers d’Art show. 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: