Inside Kering's CRAFT Residency: A Timeline for China's Next Design Stars

Luxury conglomerate Kering has launched its pioneering CRAFT residency program to cultivate the next generation of Chinese designers, bridging creative communities between East and West. The initiative offers mentorship and international exposure across Milan, Paris, and Shanghai, aiming to accelerate careers and foster genuine creative integration.

Simone Dubois

June 4, 2026 · Updated October 5, 2026 · 5 min read

Luxury conglomerate Kering has launched a pioneering residency program to cultivate the next generation of Chinese designers, bridging the creative communities of East and West. The initiative, named Kering CRAFT—an acronym for Creative Residency for Artisanship, Fashion and Technology—has selected an inaugural cohort of ten emerging talents for a journey spanning Milan, Paris, and Shanghai. Developed in partnership with Shanghai Fashion Week, the program aims to accelerate the careers of these designers through high-level mentorship and unparalleled international exposure, signaling a significant investment in the future of Chinese fashion.

A Strategic Bridge Between East and West

The Kering CRAFT program was formally established to strengthen the luxury group's support for emerging talent while fostering deeper, more meaningful connections between the Chinese and international creative industries. The initiative provides a structured pathway for promising Chinese designers to gain invaluable experience within the global fashion ecosystem, moving beyond simple market presence to genuine creative integration. According to Kering's official announcement, the program's core mission is to accelerate the development of these designers by immersing them in the heart of European luxury craftsmanship and business acumen.

The program's foundation was formalized in early November 2025, when Kering and Shanghai Fashion Week signed a memorandum of understanding at the 8th China International Import Expo in Shanghai, an event reported by Vogue. This strategic partnership underscores the program's dual focus: leveraging Shanghai Fashion Week's regional influence while providing access to Kering's global network. The selection process was intentionally rigorous, with criteria focusing on creativity and originality, craftsmanship, product excellence, growth prospects, and the embodiment of future luxury trends, ensuring that the chosen fellows represent the pinnacle of emerging Chinese design.

The Inaugural Cohort: 10 Visionary Designers

Following the official opening of applications in December 2025, which attracted over 100 candidates, a meticulous selection process culminated in the announcement of the first ten fellows in March 2026. The chosen designers, selected jointly by Kering, Shanghai Fashion Week, and a high-profile advisory board, represent a new wave of creative voices poised to make their mark on the global stage. Their participation in this residency places them at the forefront of a new chapter in the dialogue between Chinese creativity and the established European luxury world. The inaugural Kering CRAFT cohort consists of:

Cai Jiaen
Hu Nan
Longhong Ziwei
Qi Yueqi
Wang Fengchen
Wei Donghui
Xia Rong
Xu Hao
Yu Gengyi
Zhong Zixin

The Guiding Hand: An Influential Advisory Board

The selection of the ten fellows was guided by the Kering CRAFT Advisory Board, a panel of distinguished industry leaders whose composition strategically straddles Eastern and Western spheres of influence. This board was not merely ceremonial; it was deeply involved in the rigorous evaluation process. A report in Vogue identifies several key members who shaped the inaugural cohort, including Gucci’s artistic director Demna and celebrated Chinese couturier Guo Pei, representing a powerful fusion of avant-garde European luxury and revered Chinese craftsmanship.

The board also features Kering Greater China president Cai Jinqing, Qeelin creative director Dennis Chan, Xiaohongshu founder Miranda Qu, Vanity Fair Europe editorial director Simone Marchetti, and writer Camille Charrière, among others. This blend of creative directors, business leaders, media figures, and digital innovators ensures the fellows receive guidance that is both creatively inspiring and commercially astute. In a statement, Cai Jinqing of Kering expressed gratitude for the board's "invaluable support," noting that the selected fellows "embody China’s new generation of creators." The board's involvement signals the level of access and mentorship the designers can expect throughout their residency.

Kering CRAFT Program Timeline

The residency follows a structured, year-long timeline from its initial conception to the cohort's final presentations. This journey is designed to immerse the designers in different facets of the luxury industry, synthesizing key milestones from Kering's announcements and media reports into a comprehensive learning experience.

Foundation and Selection (November 2025 – March 2026)

The program's journey began in early November 2025 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Kering and Shanghai Fashion Week. Applications officially opened in December 2025, drawing a competitive pool of over 100 candidates. By February 2026, the international advisory board was assembled to begin the evaluation process, which concluded with the selection and announcement of the ten inaugural fellows in March 2026.

Italian Immersion (May 2026)

The international learning journey commenced in May 2026 with its first stop in Italy, as reported by WWD. This initial module was designed to immerse the designers in the heart of European artisanship and production, providing a foundational understanding of the craftsmanship that underpins many of Kering's iconic luxury houses.

Parisian Exposure (September 2026)

In September, the cohort is scheduled to travel to Paris for a residency segment hosted at Kering's headquarters. According to Vogue, this phase is timed to coincide with the lead-up to Paris Fashion Week and will include exclusive masterclasses with C-suite members and direct engagement with the group's prestigious houses. This experience offers an unparalleled inside look at the creative and commercial operations of a global luxury leader.

Shanghai Mentorship (Ongoing)

Complementing the European modules, the program incorporates ongoing mentorship sessions in Shanghai. These sessions will be led by the Chinese members of the CRAFT advisory board as well as local Kering executives and experts. This ensures the designers receive locally relevant guidance and can contextualize their international experiences within their home market.

The Grand Finale (March 2027)

The program will culminate in the last week of March 2027, coinciding with Shanghai Fashion Week. A report from WWD, citing Kering, states that the fellows will present a final creative project linked to their residency experiences. This presentation will serve as the ultimate showcase of their development and creative evolution over the course of the program.