LVMH brings “You&Me” back to Italy, the tour dedicated to Métiers d’Excellence

The third edition of LVMH‘s “You&Me” tour has arrived in Italy, the cradle of artisanal expertise and craftsmanship. The initiative aims to showcase the group’s more than 280 Métiers d’Excellence and introduce younger generations to the craftsmanship professions at the core of the luxury manufacturing industry.

 
After four dates in France that drew 7,500 visitors, “You&Me” stopped in Rome on 20 March at the Salone delle Fontane and will continue in Florence on 4 and 5 April at the Stazione Leopolda.

FashionNetwork.com attended the Rome debut, which welcomed a delegation from the French luxury group, including Toni Belloni, advisor to the LVMH CEO and president of LVMH Italy, alongside the CEOs of its major Italian maisons – Jean-Christophe Babin (Bulgari), Pierre-Emmanuel Angeloglou (Fendi), Giulio Bergamaschi (Acqua di Parma), Saar Debrouwere (Pucci), and Paola Faccioli (Cova) – as well as Alexandre Boquel, director of LVMH Métiers d’Excellence. The event also welcomed representatives from Italian institutions, Parliament, and Rome.

 
“This is the first time the You&Me project has come to Rome, and when it comes to métiers of beauty, there’s no better place — everything around us here is beauty,” said Toni Belloni during his opening remarks. “Italy’s high-end manufacturing draws from this cultural heritage, rooted in artisanal guilds that have evolved over centuries into today’s vibrant industrial districts. It’s this craftsmanship that gives strength to both the country and the luxury goods industry.”

“LVMH currently has 66 manufacturing sites across Italy, employing over 15,000 people — beautiful ateliers we are incredibly proud of. These ‘lead’ companies work with more than 3,000 small Italian businesses. Often family-run, these suppliers bring high-quality production, flexibility, deep product knowledge, and a strong capacity for innovation. I describe our innovation model as an ‘open system’ — our suppliers give us new ideas every year. This ecosystem must continue evolving to keep pace with changing customer expectations.”

But for this system to thrive, new talent is essential. Belloni told FashionNetwork.com: “Altagamma’s research suggests the luxury sector will need 300,000 new hires in the coming years. This industry offers real opportunities for employment and professional growth. That’s what we need to help young people understand, and we do so through many initiatives — including You&Me.”

“Our Métiers d’Excellence Institute identifies individuals passionate about artisanal work, regardless of background. Every maison within the group has internal academies where our top experts — whom we call ‘Virtuosi’ — pass on their knowledge. In Italy, we also run the ‘Adopt a School’ program, under Altagamma’s patronage, and collaborate closely with regional institutions.”

There are many concrete examples of LVMH and its maisons’ investment in youth training and employment. “Thélios has nearly 2,000 employees—many young people from the region trained at local eyewear technical institutes. We’ve just integrated a second factory that will become a full-scale campus,” Belloni continued.

“2026 Louis Vuitton will open a new leather goods site in Pontassieve. Loro Piana is also planning a campus in Ghemme. And in April, Bulgari will inaugurate the second module of its manufacturing site in Valenza, which will eventually double both its production capacity and workforce — currently around 400 employees.”

In a nod to Bulgari’s Roman heritage, CEO Jean-Christophe Babin also took the stage during the brand’s hometown stop on the tour. He emphasized the value of craftsmanship and Italian know-how: “Bulgari is what it is today thanks to the ‘smart hands’ trained over the past 15 years at our internal Jewellery Academy in Valenza. Goldsmithing isn’t about replication — many of our pieces are one-of-a-kind. Over the years, we’ve created 1,800 new jobs, 90% of which are filled by people under 30.”
 

​”There’s already a shortage of talent. Bulgari employs 20% of Valenza’s goldsmiths, and we can’t pull resources from the subcontractors who work with us. That’s why we created the Academy — to train new professionals, including those from completely unrelated fields. In the coming years, we plan to train another 700 goldsmiths, bringing the total to 2,000 since the start of the program.”

To help young people explore career opportunities within the Métiers d’Excellence, LVMH has also launched Inside LVMH, an international educational platform offering a deep dive into the group’s universe and maisons. The platform currently has over 331,000 active members, more than 125,000 certified students since 2001, and access to over 120 expert-led content pieces.

LVMH’s commitment to craftsmanship and training has also earned praise from Italian institutions. Speaking at the event, MP Federico Mollicone, chair of the Italian Parliament’s Culture, Education, and Research Commission, said: “This is an alliance in the name of beauty, art, and excellence — not only Italian, but European — rooted in history, artisanal guilds, and métiers. Today’s event sends a crucial message to young people: believe in yourselves and the support of the Italian state.”

During “You&Me,” open to students and the general public, visitors can explore LVMH’s 280+ Métiers d’Excellence through dedicated exhibition areas. These include the LVMH Musco, which showcases the group’s six business sectors through iconic maison objects; immersive pavilions where visitors can interact with craft experts; and interactive workshops and coaching sessions.

The next stop on the tour is April 4 and 5 at Stazione Leopolda in Florence.