Kering Unveils the Inaugural Kering CRAFT Cohort Championing China's Next Creative Voices

Kering CRAFT cohort, from left to right: YU Gengyi, XIA Rong, LONGHONG Ziwei, ZHONG Zixin, HU Nan, CAI Jiaen, QI Yueqi, WANG Fengchen, XU Hao, WEI Donghui 

Kering today announced the cohort of 10 fellows for the inaugural edition of Kering CRAFT – Creative Residency for Artisanship, Fashion and Technology – the Group’s pioneering program developed in partnership with Shanghai Fashion Week. Strengthening Kering’s support for emerging talent and fostering closer ties between Chinese and international creative communities, Kering CRAFT aims to accelerate the next generation of Chinese designers through a program spanning Milan, Paris, and Shanghai. 

Since the official opening of applications in December 2025, over 100 excellent candidates submitted their applications. In March 2026, a rigorous evaluation and selection process was jointly conducted by Kering, Shanghai Fashion Week and the Kering CRAFT Advisory Board, composed of leading international experts across the luxury, fashion and creative industries. The criteria included creativity and originality, craftsmanship and product excellence, growth prospects, and the embodiment of future luxury trends.

CAI Jinqing, President of Kering Greater China, said: “We are grateful to the Kering CRAFT Advisory Board and Shanghai Fashion Week for their invaluable support in selecting this inaugural cohort of ten exceptional fellows. Their creative passion, distinct perspectives, outstanding abilities and exceptional potential embody China’s new generation of creators. We look forward to meaningful learning and cultural exchange during their residency, and to further strengthening the richness and diversity of the CRAFT creative community together.”

With a focus on fashion and jewelry design, the 10 chosen residents demonstrate distinct creative styles, keen cultural insights, bold innovative spirit, and strong business potential. Their design concepts also blend local originality with a global perspective. Many draw on Chinese culture and philosophy and reinterpret them into a global context, showcasing the inner cultural connections and heritage in contemporary fashion narratives.

As a member of the Kering CRAFT Advisory Board, Demna, Artistic Director of Gucci, stated: “The creativity, innovation, and technical know-how in China are something I have always been fascinated by. I am excited to support the next generation of Chinese creatives and see how they will help shape the future of fashion.”

By offering an immersive pathway grounded in excellence and guided by world‑renowned experts, the program will combine hands‑on learning, expert mentorship, and cultural exchange to advance craftsmanship, innovation, business development, and a sustainable fashion ecosystem. Ultimately, Kering CRAFT’s ambition is to support the emergence of Chinese brands rooted in local culture and yet resonating worldwide.

The final cohort is composed of, in alphabetical order:

• CAI Jiaen, fashion designer, J E CAI
• HU Nan, fashion designer, Nan Knits
• LONGHONG Ziwei, jewelry designer, Soft Mountains
• QI Yueqi, fashion designer, YUEQI QI
• WANG Fengchen, fashion designer, Feng Chen Wang
• WEI Donghui, fashion designer, JACQUES WEI
• XIA Rong, fashion designer, macro’SENSES
• XU Hao, jewelry designer, qiqi
• YU Gengyi, jewelry designer, Midnight Opera House
• ZHONG Zixin, fashion designer, Zhong Zixin

Bios of the cohort fellows can be found in the annex of the press release. 

The cohort will embark on the international learning journey of Kering CRAFT in May, visiting Italy as the first stop in Europe. Leveraging the learnings acquired, after the completion of all modules of the residency, the Kering CRAFT fellows will present a final creative project during Shanghai Fashion Week 2027.

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About Kering

Kering is a global, family-led luxury group, home to people whose passion and expertise nurture creative Houses across couture and ready-to-wear, leather goods, jewelry, eyewear and beauty: Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, McQueen, Brioni, Boucheron, Pomellato, Dodo, Qeelin, Ginori 1735, as well as Kering Eyewear and Kering Beauté. Inspired by their creative heritage, Kering Houses design and craft exceptional products and experiences that reflect the Group’s commitment to excellence, sustainability and culture. This vision is expressed in our signature: Creativity is our Legacy. In 2025, Kering employed 44,000 people and generated revenue of €14.7 billion.

About Shanghai Fashion Week

As a reputed City Name Card, Shanghai Fashion Week, relying on the urban heritage and cultural confidence of Shanghai, a century-old fashion capital, adheres to the positioning philosophy of “integration of local and international visions” and “balance between creative design and commercial implementation”. In the past 20 years, it has evolved from a merely fashion showcase platform to a fashion eco landscape, which runs through the entire fashion industry, and is commented as “the world's most dynamic fashion week”.

Contacts

Roger HE       + 86 (21) 6185 3528       roger.he@kering.com 

Yun JIANG       + 86 (21) 6185 3683       yun.jiang@kering.com 

Emilie GARGATTE        + 33 (0)1 45 64 61 20       emilie.gargatte@kering.com