Companies

Kering expands Academy for Excellence with education partnerships

Jul 15, 2026 France

The France-based luxury group has expanded its Academy for Excellence by collaborating with eight Italian educational institutions to train the next generation of luxury artisans

Kering has signed a memorandum of understanding with eight Italian educational institutions to establish a nationwide training network working alongside the in-house schools of brands such as Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Brioni and Pomellato.

Led by Sabina Belli, Head of the Kering Academy for Excellence and CEO of Pomellato, the initiative combines the sector’s four traditional pillars – apparel, men’s tailoring, leather goods and jewellery – with the development of cutting-edge skills related to technology, artificial intelligence and new materials.

The new Kering Lounge, located in Milan’s MIND Innovation District where the memorandum was signed, will facilitate collaboration between partner institutions and Kering’s maison schools by providing a dedicated space for knowledge sharing and skills development.

“With Kering Academy for Excellence we do not simply want to pass on techniques inherited from the past, but to transform traditional crafts into dynamic, contemporary professions that are strongly future-oriented. To respond to this change, we must combine the precious ‘intelligence of the hands’ with critical thinking, creativity and technological innovation”, highlighted Sabina Belli.

Alongside the education network, Kering has launched a think tank to guide the future development of the Academy. The advisory group, chaired by the CEO of Pomellato, brings together representatives from the luxury, education and culture sectors, including Altagamma, the Politecnico di Milano and the City of Milan.

This signature marks the next phase of the Kering Academy for Excellence, launched in April to support the training of future luxury artisans by uniting the group’s brands, educational institutions, and industry partners.

Image Credits: kering.com

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