Kering Launches CRAFT Residency to Cultivate Next-Generation Chinese Design Talent
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Kering, the global luxury group, has announced the formation of an advisory board for its inaugural Kering CRAFT program – a pioneering creative residency focused on artisanship, fashion, and technology. The initiative, developed in partnership with Shanghai Fashion Week, aims to accelerate the growth of emerging Chinese designers by providing them with immersive experiences across Milan, Paris, and Shanghai.
Bridging East and West Through Creative Collaboration
The program underscores Kering’s commitment to supporting emerging talent and strengthening connections between Chinese and international creative communities. According to a company release, Kering CRAFT will offer a unique pathway combining hands-on learning, expert mentorship, and cultural exchange. The ultimate goal is to foster the emergence of Chinese brands that are deeply rooted in local culture yet possess global appeal.
A Stellar Advisory Board Takes Shape
The Kering CRAFT Advisory Board comprises twelve influential figures from the luxury industry, arts, academia, media, and technology sectors, representing China, France, Italy, and the United States. Members include Demna, Artistic Director of Gucci; Guo Pei, the renowned Haute Couture Designer; Carla Sozzani, Founder and President of Fondazione Sozzani and Fondation Azzedine Alaïa; and Miranda Qu, Founder of Xiaohongshu (rednote).
The full board, listed in alphabetical order, includes: Cai Jinqing, President of Kering Greater China; Dennis Chan, Founder & Creative Director of Qeelin; Camille Charrière, Fashion Influencer and Writer; Susan Cohn Rockefeller, Artist, Filmmaker, and Founder of Musings; Hung Huang, Author, Publisher, and Cultural Influencer; Lv Xiaolei, Executive Vice Chairman of Shanghai Fashion Designers Association and Secretary General of Shanghai Fashion Week Organizing Committee; Simone Marchetti, Vanity Fair European Editorial Director & Editor-in-Chief, Vanity Fair Italy; and Zang Yingchun, Acting Dean of Tsinghua Arts & Design Institute in Milan.
“Their collective expertise and rich backgrounds will guide the program’s vision,” stated a senior official, emphasizing the board’s role in shaping the selection process, mentoring, and ensuring a rigorous and inclusive framework.
Program Details and Application Process
The Advisory Board will soon begin selecting the final cohort of residents for the Kering CRAFT program. The selected fellows will be announced in March during Shanghai Fashion Week. Interested applicants can submit their applications through the Shanghai Fashion Week website until March 1st: https://www.shanghaifashionweek.com/.
Kering and Shanghai Fashion Week: A Synergistic Partnership
Kering, a family-led luxury group with a portfolio including Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Bottega Veneta, generated €17.2 billion in revenue in 2024 and employs 47,000 people globally. The group’s commitment to “Creativity is our Legacy” is central to the CRAFT program. Shanghai Fashion Week, described as “the world’s most dynamic fashion week,” has evolved over the past 20 years into a comprehensive fashion ecosystem, integrating local and international perspectives.
The collaboration between Kering and Shanghai Fashion Week signifies a powerful synergy, poised to cultivate a new wave of Chinese design talent and further solidify China’s position as a global fashion powerhouse.
