Chanel acquired the embroidery atelier Maison Lesage in 2002.
The acquisition was made through Paraffection, Chanel’s structure for bringing important French specialist workshops into the company’s orbit. Lesage joined the group alongside Massaro, a shoemaking house, and became one of Chanel’s Métiers d’art houses. The aim was not simply to absorb a supplier, but to preserve rare craft knowledge and maintain the production skills required by haute couture.
Maison Lesage is renowned for hand embroidery, including intricate work with sequins, beads, threads and textured materials. Its embroiderers have contributed to elaborate couture garments and fashion accessories, where a single design may require many hours of painstaking work. Lesage also established an embroidery school in 1992 to pass its techniques to new generations.
The year 2002 can be confused with later dates connected to Chanel’s Métiers d’art collections. Karl Lagerfeld introduced Chanel’s annual Métiers d’art collection that same year, beginning with “Satellite Love.” Lesage’s incorporation into Chanel’s craft network, however, dates specifically to 2002.