Kering has announced the ten fellows selected for the inaugural Kering CRAFT program, a creative residency initiative developed in partnership with Shanghai Fashion Week. This program aims to support emerging Chinese designers, fostering exchanges with international creative communities and promoting innovation in fashion, craftsmanship, and technology. The selected designers will participate in a cross-continental residency program spanning Milan, Paris, and Shanghai, curated by Kering.
The ten fellows specialize in fashion and jewelry design, with a focus on reinterpreting Chinese culture and philosophy for an international audience. They include Cai Jiaen, known for modular and seasonless designs; Wei Donghui, balancing artistic expression and commercial sense; and Yu Gengyi, translating oriental opera aesthetics into jewelry. These designers will benefit from hands-on learning and mentoring by world-renowned experts, including Demna, artistic director of Gucci.
Kering CRAFT is part of Kering’s broader commitment to innovation, cultural exchange, and sustainable growth in the fashion ecosystem. The program reflects Kering’s vision to empower Chinese designers to build “glocal” brands, combining local heritage with international reach.
