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  VUARNET KEY MOMENTS
  Jean Vuarnet wins the downhill event at the Squaw Valley Winter Olympics (USA)
Roger Pouilloux and Jean Vuarnet launch the first Vuarnet sunglasses of which lenses, perfect in terms of optical quality, were created by Joseph Hatchiguian who is now the CEO of Sporoptic Pouilloux.
The brand image gradually take shape. Field of application: protection from the sun in leisure-oriented sports and adventure activities, already a way of being, living.
  America discovers Vuarnet sunglasses. Hordes of American tourists invade French opticians demanding " Warnay " glasses. Weathermen on Californian radio and television coins the " It's a Vuarnet day today " catch phrase, forecasting a sunny day.
Vuarnet is official sponsor for the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. This is a real breakthrough for Pouilloux and the Vuarnet brand. Since then, more than 1 million pairs of sunglasses have been sold each year world-wide. The first move to diversify the brand is made in the US garment business. Revenue from the Vuarnet tee- shirts, shorts and caps raises rapidly to reach US$ 32 million.
  Vuarnet Sportswear launches Vuarnet Skiwear in Europe.
  Vuarnet enters the world of watchmaking, launching a range of watches which innovated in terms of design and style, including the famous Vuarnet Cup, with its removable measuring instruments.
Vuarnet takes an interest in sailing, entering a boat, named Vuarnet Watches and skippered by Bernard Gallay, for the Vendée Globe single-handed round the world race.
Launch of the Vitara Vuarnet, a four wheel drive car produced in a limited edition in association with Suzuki.
Vuarnet makes its debut in the world of tennis. The brand becomes the partner of French tennis professionals Guy Forget and Arnaud Boetsch. Vuarnet also acts as official timekeeper for numerous ATP tennis tournaments.
The "Syndicat National des Moniteurs du Ski Français" (National Union of French Ski Instructors) chooses Vuarnet skiwear for the 230 ski schools covered by the ESF label.

Vuarnet Sportswear signs a partnership agreement with the Olympic Freestyle Champion and mogul specialist, Edgar Grospiron (Gold medal at Albertville in 1992, bronze at Lillehammer in 1994).
Vuarnet signs a master-franchising contract with the company Vuarnet Sportswear Do Brazil for the development of textile products specifically adapted to the Brazilian market and for the creation of a network of Vuarnet shops in Brazil. Vuarnet Sportswear is the official skiwear supplier for the French Freestyle Ski Team for the whole of the World Cup circuit and the Lillehammer Winter Olympic Games.
Vuarnet entrusts its skiwear and sportswear business to the leading Italian textile group, Jack Better.
Vuarnet sunglasses are official partners in the America's Cup 95.
Vuarnet Watches will act as official timekeeper for the 5th World Freestyle Championships at La Clusaz (France).
The first line of Vuarnet garments for sailing and yachting, developed by Jack Better, will hit the market, under the name Vuarnet Yachting.
  Vuarnet signs a world-wide license for Footwear with the French industrialist, Jacques Royer of Royer S.A., a company which has been present on this market since 1945 and shows a legitimate long term interest for the Vuarnet product.
The final product makes its appearance on the market for the Christmas holidays 1998.

The Vuarnet Group grants a world-wide license for the creation, production and distribution of a line of writing instruments under the Vuarnet name. In January 1998, Vuarnet signs a new Cosmetics and Perfumes license. The Vuarnet Group grants a license for a travel insurance for skiers in Europe with the company Fogg Travel Insurance Services Ltd, based in London, and in partnership with Lloyd's of London.
Jack Better, the world-wide Vuarnet licensee for textiles, signs a partnership agreement with the Italian Ski Teachers Association and the Italian Ski Instructors Federation. Vuarnet is now the official supplier of main ski schools in Europe and provides skiwear for over 7'000 ski instructors in Italy.

The Vuarnet Group signs a license contract for sport luggage. Vuarnet grants a new textile license for ready to wear "Casual - urban" to RG-85, based in Montaigü (France). Vuarnet confirms its presence on the urban market. Deciding to develop a new collection of watches adapted to the new market demands, Vuarnet grants a new license to Hestia, integrated to the French Group, Pierre Lannier, based in Saverne (France). The transfer of this license, previously run by the Vuarnet Group, follows the logical license politic for diversification.
  40th anniversary of Jean Vuarnet's downhill Olympic victory.
Vuarnet concludes a new license agreement for "Image Objects" with Boomerang, expert in this domain and based in Bry-Sur-Marne (France).
  The Vuarnet brand mark penetrates a new expanding market : nutritional complements. A license for nutritional complements (anti-age sun pills to begin with) is granted to Forte Pharma Laboratories, based in Monaco.


First institutional campaign of the VUARNET brand in L'Equipe Magazine all year round. That campaign is targeted to make the public discover the VUARNET brand that covers a wide territory, from sports to fashion! Our clientele will also discover that since the Eye-wear launch in 1960, the star product of the brand, other segments have been launched, creating with VUARNET the notion of global brand.

  Launch of the new skin care range "VUARNET Skincare". The formula Alpine Biotech is an innovation from biotechnologies, the Antarcticine, protective protein was synthesised using living organisms discovered in the heart of the Antartic continent, resisting in the cold of the polar circle. This range was developed with scientists but also found agreement within the ENSA, the prestigious French national ski and mountaineering school, who tested it in extreme conditions.
  To celebrate the 45 years of the brand, VUARNET signs a licence contract for the creation of a perfume – « VUARNET 1960 » – with a society called SACA, perfumes creator and distributor, located in south France, near Grasse. VUARNET develops its export markets by launching its perfume in April at the Salon international in Bologne (Italy), then in October at the Tax Duty Free, in Cannes.
VUARNET launches also VUARNET Femme, the first exclusive feminine line by the brand. This range consists of jewellery and tee-shirts "au féminin", exclusively created for VUARNET by young and talented Brazilian creators.

In 2006, VUARNET brand will take the opportunity to diversify and enlarge its products range, by concluding two new contracts, one for the Helmets and body protect products; another for Sun creams products. VUARNET brand, specialist for mountain and sea professionals, enlarges and confirms its presence in the security and protection field.
A great year for the brand! First there is the signing of the four year partnership with the FFS, until 2010, the Olympic year. During that time the Ski World Championships will also take place in Val d'Isere in 2009. It also signed a new licensing agreement with the company DO Protect Body concerning the products helmets and body protectors.

An important innovation and transformation of a security product into a fashion accessory. 2006 was also the year of signing a new Sunscreen license. A brand new pack with a cream for everyday for seven days each with a different protection level from Etienne Desroches Laboratories which can be used in both the mountains in winter and at the edge of the water in summer.







Cap Dermatology has created a full rand of skin care without parabens for the body, face, and hands designed for movement and travel. The range allows one to travel, notably by plane, with their products at their fingertips. The Vuarnet Travel Care range comes in resealable bottles which contain 10ml each and are the ideal companion for globetrotters who care about their skin.

2007 also saw the inauguration of the new generation of exclusive stores in Brazil by Alain Vuarnet. The first store of this new generation opened in Rio in the prestigious Fashion Mall. A precursor of what will be the showcase for Vuarnet products and a concept which will be developed in Europe and elsewhere.

In May 2008, the second exclusive boutique Vuarnet opened in Rio.


To increase its global reach and develop new product lines by signing new partners, Alain Vuarnet and IMG Licensing sign a partnership agreement for five years. Present worldwide, IMG Licensing enables the Vuarnet brand to have an international network and enhance its development.

Morzine-Avoriaz and Courchevel are partners of Vuarnet! Morzine is the town that witnessed the rise of the young champion who was going to win the Olympic gold, Avoriaz germinated in the mind of Jean Vuarnet, on his return from Squaw Valley Winter Olympics. [Link]. Two years until the 50th anniversary of the winning of Olympic gold by Jean, Vuarnet and Courcheve sign a natural partnership based on common values. An undisputed icon in winter sports, Courchevel is unique in the world! At the heart of the fabulous ski area of three valleys is the village of superlatives where everything happens in the winter season, where trends emerge and are reinforced. [Link].

In 2008, Vuarnet Sun Care Travel Care and Vuarnet Vuarnet Watches, joined Vuarnet Skiwear and also become partners and suppliers of the French Ski Federation.

Finally, in 2008 in Basel, the heart of the world of watch making, was the official launch of the new range of Vuarnet Watches with a bold design and automatic movements. This line is at the forefront of trends , Vuarnet Watches have not stopped impressing the visitors of Basel in 2008.






 

2009 is the launch of the second generation of Vuarnet Watches initiated by Philippe Tabuto and his company Timepod. Continuing the success of the first models, the innovative design and trendy collection cemented the success of this collection.

> Montres

2009 also saw the signing of partnerships with Vuarnet Skiwear and FISI (Italian Federation of Winter Sports) and the Russian ski teams until the Olympic Games in Sochi in 2014. Italy, a great nation of winter sports, will wear Vuarnet colours, for downhill skiing and for the Nordic disciplines and sledding events. Equipping the Russian ski team is of particular importance just a few years before the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi in 2014.

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And during the challenge of the first snow in Val d'Isere in December 2009, the first Vuarnet "pro shop" opened. The store was designed and opened by Gerard Mattis, and is decorated entirely in the colors of the Vuarnet brand. It hosts mainly the skiwear line but also has sunglasses, watches, writing instruments, jewelry and luggage. Inaugurated in the presence of the President of the General Council of Savoie, Hervé Gaymard, but also in the presence of President of the FFS, Alain Méthiaz. French, Italian and Russian skiers were also present at the inauguration.




The winter season 2009/2010 has seen the launch of a major co-branding operation for the brand. Indeed, Maserati, the famous Italian car manufacturer, has chosen Vuarnet Skiwear to develop a skiwear line "Maserati powered by Vuarnet". A classic design but how clean and upscale, with perfect lines, including some details of the legendary cars. Ever seen materials in skiwear such as Alcantara, laser welded seams, ... In short, all the technical, comfort, attention to details, which belong to this marvelous car, founded within this man and woman skiwear line. Distributed only in Maserati authorized dealer, the line " Maserati powered by Vuarnet" is presented on the booths' Maserati in car shows and has been launched for individual customers within the Arabic Peninsula.




 

It has been 50 years since the winning of the Olympic Gold by Jean Vuarnet in the Squaw Valley downhill on the 22 of February 1960. The 50 years were celebrated as they should be by certain partners of the brand. Vuarnet skiwear also celebrated by completing 206 pairs of skis all numbered like a clock. Why 206? This was the time it took Jean Vuarnet to complete the Olympic downhill. Naturally pair number 2.06 were given to Jean! Among the products that will mark the anniversary include a range of 50th anniversary writing instruments which were a commercial success. The packaging was so successful that it helped the product to thrive. Aside from these examples, numerous partners have placed the 50th anniversary logo on their products.



In 2010, VUARNET and INNOVASKI announce the signing of a long-term European licensing agreement, on technical equipment and accessories for winter sports.
The origin of the union between INNOVASKI and VUARNET, is their common passion for the world of skiing and mountaineering, but also a willingness to develop and offer products of high quality. They combine tradition and modernity by capitalizing on a legendary heritage in both technicality and performance.

"If VUARNET is now present in many areas, the sports world and the mountains are its roots, its DNA," says Alain Vuarnet, CEO of the group. "Ensuring that new license INNOVASKI, with a common long-term thinking, can now enrich our offer, backed by a strong complementarily between values and know-how!

This license will permit VUARNET to invest in new European markets through the network of INNOVASKI.
 "We are proud to announce not only the signing of a long-term licensing agreement with VUARNET, legendary brand of French sport, but also developing our retail business, strengthening the innovative business model INNOVASKI" said Didier Schmidt, President of INNOVASKI.



     

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