LVMH, the renowned luxury conglomerate known for its iconic brands including Dior, Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, and Fendi, recently awarded its prestigious Métier d’Excellence award to 40 exceptionally talented artisans. These artisans, who specialize in various crafts such as gold leafing, bag making, makeup artistry, and ironworking, were hailed as the “beating heart” of the company by LVMH’s CEO, Bernard Arnault. The awards ceremony, a celebration of the craftsmanship and skill exhibited by these artisans, took place at Paris’ esteemed Salle Pleyel concert hall.
In order to promote and showcase its artisanal métiers, LVMH has embarked on an initiative called Show Me Immersion. This program involves sending teams to high schools across France to familiarize students with the diverse range of skills and career opportunities available within the company. With approximately 280 métiers present within LVMH, this initiative aims to inspire and guide young individuals towards pursuing careers in various artisanal fields. Show Me Immersion’s ambassador is the legendary French basketball player, Tony Parker, who has achieved great success as a playmaker for the San Antonio Spurs, winning four NBA titles.
During the award ceremony, Parker shared his own journey of resilience and determination, emphasizing the importance of chasing dreams without allowing negative influences to hinder progress. He conducted an onstage interview with Zinedine, a young man who had faced numerous challenges in life but eventually found solace and support through a charity called La Refuge. This encounter led him to become involved with LVMH, and he ultimately secured an apprenticeship with Dior, a remarkable achievement he never thought possible.
Loewe, an esteemed brand under the LVMH umbrella, holds a special focus on nurturing artisanal skills. Jonathan Anderson, Loewe’s creative director, revealed that his own foray into the world of fashion began with window dressing and costume making, after realizing that acting was not his calling. This early fascination with the crafting process greatly influences his creative approach at Loewe, resulting in unique and exceptional designs.
Chantal Gaemperle, LVMH’s director of human resources and synergies, emphasized the five pillars of the Métiers d’Excellence project: raising awareness, providing guidance, offering training opportunities, developing talent, and adding value. Gaemperle stressed the importance of promoting the company’s métiers as a career option, particularly among the younger generation, amidst a shortage of skilled craftsmanship and other professions in the luxury industry.
Last year, all of LVMH’s brands came together to sign the “WE for ME” manifesto, pledging their commitment to preserving and promoting artisanal excellence. To achieve this, LVMH has conducted numerous presentations for over 1,600 high school students in France this year alone and has created over 2,000 apprenticeships since 2014.
In recognition of their exceptional talent and contribution to the company, each virtuoso artisan was presented with a special insignia brooch designed by Chaumet, a renowned jeweler under the LVMH umbrella.
Useful links:
– “Show Me Immersion Initiative”: www.lvmhshowmeimmersion.com
– “LVMH Brands”: www.lvmh.com/houses
