The First Chinese Edition of the Company’s Métiers Exhibition Aims to Strengthen Ties with the Country
Underscoring its commitment to strengthen ties with the Chinese market, LVMH launched the inaugural edition of its “Show Me” initiative in Shanghai. This program, an extension of LVMH’s Institut des Métiers d’Excellence, aims to enhance and preserve artisanal craftsmanship, along with creative and retail expertise. Since its inception in 2014, the Institut has trained over 3,300 individuals across 280 professions in eight countries.
The Shanghai launch, held at the historic Cathay Cinema, is part of LVMH’s presence at the China International Import Expo (CIIE). “The program includes employees that work across the value chain of LVMH; it’s the people who create, build and sell the products,” said Alexandre Boquel, who leads the Métiers d’Excellence initiative. The China program, which started three months ago, has recognized its first cohort of 12 “Virtuoso” employees, who excel in roles like retail management, product repair, and personalized letter painting.
Though LVMH primarily produces its goods outside of China—with the exception of its Shangri-La wine venture, Ao Yun—the company has a strong artisan workforce in the country, particularly in repair services. “We have watchmaking technicians…trained in Hong Kong to paint letters on our trunks,” Boquel explained. This initial mapping of LVMH professions in China aims to expand local expertise and develop further skills.
The Show Me initiative also features master classes with LVMH’s European artisans and partnerships with Chinese vocational schools, including Shanghai Industrial and Commercial Polytechnic and Shanghai Jianqiao University. Bulgari, for instance, has established a two-and-a-half-year program to train jewelry technician apprentices, marking a significant scale compared to European schools. “One of the schools has 1,000 students in jewelry…a miracle, it’s impossible in Europe,” commented Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of Bulgari.
To mark the launch, LVMH hosted a series of discussions with press, employees, and executives. “The theme of today’s event is Show Me, but more importantly, what we need to do is work together,” said Andrew Wu, LVMH Greater China president. “Craftsmanship is our language that can connect the world,” he concluded.
