Kering Opens Applications for CRAFT Residency Program

December 18, Global luxury group Kering has officially opened applications for CRAFT: Creative Residency for Artisanship, Fashion and Technology—a global experiential fellowship program created in partnership with Shanghai Fashion Week. Designed to spotlight and nurture the next generation of visionary Chinese talent, the initiative aims to accelerate emerging designers and identify future glocal (global + local) Chinese brands.

The selected Kering CRAFT fellows will embark on a year-long cross-continental residency spanning France, Italy, and China—with immersive experiences in Milan, Florence, Paris, and Shanghai curated by Kering. The core curriculum includes an 8-week mandatory residency in Europe with Kering’s iconic maisons, paired with a series of learning activities in China co-developed with the Shanghai Fashion Designers Association.

Blending craftsmanship, design, and technological innovation, the program fosters interdisciplinary dialogue around creativity, heritage, and the evolving business models of luxury.

The residency is open to next-gen Chinese creative talent across haute couture, ready-to-wear, leather goods, jewelry, and accessories. Applicants must demonstrate a distinct creative identity, a body of work, and a track record of operational business activity. Each one will be required to develop a final creative project—a product line or capsule collection—showcasing the insights and skills acquired during the residency. Final presentations will be unveiled at Shanghai Fashion Week 2027.

Applications will be evaluated by Kering and a CRAFT Advisory Board composed of leading experts in luxury, fashion, and creative industries. Fellows will be selected based on creativity and originality, craftsmanship and product excellence, commercial potential, alignment with future-facing trends in luxury, and synergy with the Kering ecosystem. The 2026 cohort will be announced at Shanghai Fashion Week in March 2026.