French luxury group Kering has launched the Kering Accademia per le Eccellenze, a new training platform aimed at developing the next generation of craftsmanship talent across fashion and jewellery. The initiative was unveiled on 15 April 2026 during Italy’s Made in Italy Day.

The academy will operate as a distributed learning ecosystem, anchored at the Valore Italia campus within Milan’s MIND innovation district. It will combine traditional luxury skills with emerging capabilities such as artificial intelligence and new materials.

Training will span four core domains—ready-to-wear, menswear tailoring, leather goods and jewellery—reflecting Kering’s integrated approach to craftsmanship across categories. Programmes will range from short-term courses to multi-year diplomas recognised under Italian law, with the first intake scheduled for September 2026.

The academy will initially train up to 1,000 students annually, with capacity expected to double over time. It will be open to both internal employees and external candidates, signalling a broader industry-facing mandate.

Led by Sabina Belli, the initiative builds on existing training programmes across Kering’s houses, including Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Pomellato, while partnering with institutions such as Politecnico di Milano.