Kering’s Accademia delle Eccellenze moves from announcement to operational reality with eight Milan school partnerships
Executive summary: Kering inaugurated the Accademia delle Eccellenze, formalising partnerships with eight Milan‑based schools to deliver specialised artisan training under the leadership of Pomellato’s CEO Sabina Belli. The initiative strengthens Kering’s internal supply of skilled craftspeople, reinforces its commitment to heritage savoir‑faire, and may improve the competitiveness of its luxury brands in a tight labour market.
Who is involved: Kering (parent group), Pomellato (represented by CEO Sabina Belli), eight unidentified Milan vocational schools, and the artisan instructors who will deliver the curriculum.
Likely next: The academy is expected to expand its curriculum to additional Kering houses, attract further school partnerships, and potentially serve as a model for other luxury conglomerates seeking to safeguard artisanal expertise.
Kering has turned its April announcement into a concrete initiative by signing agreements with eight vocational schools in Milan. The academy, led by Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli, focuses on transmitting artisan know‑how for the group’s luxury houses. The move underscores the continuing importance of craftsmanship in the luxury sector and creates a structured talent pipeline.
Timeline
- — L’Accademia delle Eccellenze annunciata in aprile da Kering diventa realtà (Il Sole 24 Ore — Economia)
Analysis — what this means
Likely next events
- Further partnerships with additional Italian vocational schools
- Launch of specialised modules in haute joaillerie and leather goods
- Potential replication of the model in other Kering brand hubs
Sectors affected
- Luxury goods
- Fashion
- Education & training
Historical parallels
- LVMH’s Métiers d'Art programme
- Richemont’s Institut Métiers d'Art
- Gucci’s ArtLab
Key entities
Sources
- L’Accademia delle Eccellenze annunciata in aprile da Kering diventa realtà — Il Sole 24 Ore — Economia