LVMH Métiers d’Art, a division of the luxury conglomerate LVMH, is expanding its presence in Europe through significant investments in Italian leather specialists. The division, which focuses on sourcing exceptional raw materials for LVMH’s fashion houses, recently acquired Ally Projects, an exotic leather tannery, and purchased a stake in Robans, a high-end leather ready-to-wear manufacturer.
Established in 2015, LVMH Métiers d’Art aims to protect and develop access to excellent raw materials and expertise for LVMH’s fashion houses. With nearly 500 million euros in revenue, the division currently holds shares in around a dozen fashion manufacturers and supports its best suppliers over the long term.
The acquisition of Ally Projects, now known as Heng Long Italy, will enhance LVMH Métiers d’Art’s expertise in exotic leather and improve operational efficiency. Based in Tuscany, Italy, Ally Projects has been supplying luxury brands with exceptional crocodilian leather and offering services such as retanning, finishing, and development. As the European partner of Heng Long Tannery, one of the world’s leading specialists in crocodile skin tanning, Ally Projects will now handle creative development in exotic skins, streamlining the process for LVMH’s brands and enabling faster responses to their needs.
Robans, founded in 1989 and also based in Tuscany, specializes in manufacturing leather garments for ready-to-wear and made-to-measure. In its first venture into the clothing sector, LVMH Métiers d’Art’s investment in Robans reflects its commitment to supporting key manufacturers in strategic production chains. The company’s expertise extends beyond leather to include textiles and technical fabrics.
Matteo de Rosa, the general manager of LVMH Métiers d’Art, explains that the division is responding to high demand from their brands despite limited resources due to the economic situation. The division plans to intensify its support to manufacturers in the coming months through additional global investments. Working closely with LVMH’s strategy director, Jean Baptiste Voisin, LVMH Métiers d’Art leverages its discreet yet extensive network of expertise, which has been developing for over a decade.
In addition to its investments in leather and textile manufacturers, LVMH Métiers d’Art has expanded into the production of metal parts through partnerships with Renato Menegatti, an Italian manufacturer, and GBJM, a Taiwanese innovation center. The division has also established partnerships in the silk industry, including the creation of the Twinpix printing workshop in France, specializing in double-sided printing on silk.
These recent investments in Italian leather specialists highlight LVMH Métiers d’Art’s commitment to securing exceptional raw materials and supporting the growth of key manufacturers in the luxury fashion industry. By maintaining a robust and efficient supply chain, the division ensures the continuation of exceptional craftsmanship and quality in the products of LVMH’s fashion houses.
Useful links:
– LVMH Métiers d’Art official website
– LVMH Full Year Results 2020 press release
