A year of transmission and savoir-faire: 2018 highlights from LVMH and its Maisons

As custodians of the cultural heritage embodied by exceptional artisanal and creative métiers, LVMH and its Maisons are deeply committed to protecting and developing the unique savoir-faire they have inherited, which has sometimes been passed on for centuries. The fourth edition of Les Journées Particulières, the fifth LVMH Prize for Young Designers and the LVMH Institut des Métiers d’Excellence LVMH are all prime examples of how the Group continued to pass on artisanal and creative skills to young generations, melting savoir-faire and innovation… Take a look at some of the highlights from 2018.

Les Journées Particulières LVMH 2018

The 2018 Les Journées Particulières LVMH enjoyed unprecedented success, drawing 180,000 visitors. The fourth edition of this event – unique in its kind – took on a new dimension as 56 LVMH Maisons opened their doors to the public, inviting visitors to discover 77 exceptional places – 40 never previously open to the public – in 14 countries on five continents. For three days (October 12-14), perfumers, watchmakers, jewelers, shoemakers, trunkmakers, winemakers, barrel makers, makeup artists and many others welcomed people from every background to share the multifaceted expertise of their métiers. Wonderful stories and moving encounters will definitely remain in memories until the next edition!

Fifth edition of LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers

Faithful to a longstanding commitment to supporting the talent of tomorrow, the Group again launched the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers in 2018. Each year the LVMH Prize recognizes an outstanding designer, selected by a jury of creative directors from LVMH Maisons. A record 1,300 participants from 90 countries joined the competition in 2018. The nine finalists presented their work during an event at the Fondation Louis Vuitton on June 6th. Culminating this very special day, the jury announced Tokyo-based Japanese designer Masayuki Ino as the winner of the fifth LVMH Prize for his Doublet label.

LVMH Institut des Métiers d’Excellence LVMH launches fifth year in France and Switzerland and expands in Italy

The LVMH Institut des Métiers d’Excellence LVMH (IME) marked the beginning of its fifth year of classes in October 2018 and topped the symbolic number of 500 apprentices in training during the year. The IME enjoyed robust growth in France and Switzerland in 2018, adding and expanding training tracks and partnerships with schools. At the end of November, the IME celebrated its second back-to-school season in Italy, announcing three new partners to train future apprentices in artisanal and retail skills (women’s shoemaking with Politecnico Calzaturiero in Capriccio di Vigonza, men’s shoemaking with the Académie du Savoir-faire Berluti in Ferrare, and retailing training with Université Ca’ Foscari Venezia).

INSIDE LVMH program launches

LVMH launched the INSIDE LVMH program in February 2018, a groundbreaking initiative for students from 50 of Europe’s top schools and universities, as well as interns at the LVMH Group. Built around a digital platform, the program brings these young talents a deeper understanding of the strategic challenges in luxury and an opportunity to contribute new ideas around the theme “Imagine the Luxury Experience of Tomorrow”. A total of 4,500 young talents joined the program. Of the 200 students selected, three winning teams had a chance to present their ideas at LVMH headquarters in Paris to LVMH Chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault and 50 members of LVMH top management, including CEOs of Maisons and members of the LVMH Executive Committee. This initiative enables the Group to identify a new generation of international talents and create an inspiring bridge between the academic world and the luxury industry.