Luxury conglomerate Kering has launched its new Kering Creative Residency for Artisanship, Fashion and Technology (CRAFT) program, announcing the ten Chinese designers selected for its inaugural cohort.

Kering's initiative establishes a formal platform for mentorship and international exposure, creating a direct conduit between emerging Chinese creatives and the established European fashion ecosystem. This strategic investment in China aims to foster a new generation of Chinese designers, integrating their unique perspectives and artisanal skills into the global luxury conversation, and cultivating China as a burgeoning hub of creative talent beyond its role as a principal consumer market.

What We Know So Far

  • Kering has officially launched the Creative Residency for Artisanship, Fashion and Technology (CRAFT), an initiative designed to support emerging Chinese designers.
  • The program’s inaugural class consists of ten designers specializing in fashion and jewelry, selected from a pool of over one hundred applicants, according to a statement from FashionNetwork.com.
  • Developed in partnership with Shanghai Fashion Week, the residency will commence in May with an immersive international journey that includes stops in Milan, Paris, and Shanghai.
  • A distinguished 12-member advisory board will guide the program, headlined by Gucci's artistic director Demna and renowned Chinese couturier Guo Pei.
  • Participants will engage in a curriculum that combines hands-on learning, expert mentorship in areas like business development, and extensive cultural exchange, as reported by WWD.
  • Upon completion of the residency, the fellows are expected to present a final creative project during Shanghai Fashion Week in 2027.

What is the Kering CRAFT Program?

Unveiled last November by Kering Chief Executive Officer Luca de Meo, the Kering CRAFT program—Creative Residency for Artisanship, Fashion and Technology—is a comprehensive residency. It accelerates China's most promising fashion and jewelry talents by building a bridge between rich Chinese craftsmanship and global luxury infrastructure, underscoring its three core pillars: celebrating traditional skills, advancing contemporary design, and embracing technological innovation.