Italy serves as a crucial center for LVMH’s manufacturing endeavors, underscored by the luxury conglomerate’s ongoing investments in the country. During the ‘Show Me’ event in Florence on November 30th, LVMH announced its plan to hire 2,500 artisans and skilled craftspeople in Italy by the end of 2025, emphasizing the company’s commitment to fostering excellence in craftsmanship.
As the world’s leading luxury conglomerate, LVMH invests approximately 100 million euros annually in the peninsula. With a formidable presence encompassing six brands and 35 manufacturing facilities, LVMH currently employs 12,000 people in Italy. Among them, 7,000 are craftsmen and creatives operating across 35 sites and around 250 boutiques. Alexandre Boquel, the director of excellent craftsmanship, lauded Italy’s exceptional craftsmanship during the ‘Show Me’ event in Florence, highlighting the collaborative efforts of the 200,000 people employed by the group in the country through a vast network of 5,000 suppliers and subcontractors.
The event, which showcased the unparalleled expertise of LVMH’s iconic brands, including Bulgari, Loro Piana, Pucci, Acqua di Parma, Thelios, and Belmond, featured exhibitions and testimonials from students of the Institute of Excellent Craftsmanship (IME). Founded in 2014, IME aims to impart knowledge and inspire young individuals to pursue careers in the arts. Since its inception in Italy in 2017, the institute has successfully trained 730 pupils.
Despite LVMH’s continuous expansion and escalating demand for its products, the company faces a notable labor shortage, mirroring a broader challenge within the luxury industry. A Comité Colbert assessment reveals a 20,000-job gap each year in the artisanal industry in France, with Italy facing a particularly pronounced disparity. Altagamma, representing high-end Italian enterprises, projects a demand for 346,000 artisans in the next five years, with a specific need for over 40,000 in the fashion and leather goods sector.
LVMH’s commitment to nurturing craftsmanship in Italy not only showcases the company’s dedication to quality but also underscores the challenges in maintaining skilled artisans amid the evolving landscape of the luxury industry. The strategic investments and initiatives announced at the ‘Show Me’ event position LVMH at the forefront of preserving and promoting the artistry integral to the luxury fashion sector.
