Palazzo Pucci is the historic home of Emilio Pucci and now also IME's Italian headquarters. Image credit: LVMH
Due to the number of Italian brands within its stable, French luxury conglomerate LVMH is expanding its Institut des Métiers d’Excellence (IME) program in Italy.
LVMH’s IME expansion includes a Florence-based headquarters for the program housed in the Palazzo Pucci, the historic home of Maison Emilio Pucci. The IME also has centers in France and Switzerland to train talent and retail specialists in fashion, spirits and horology, among other verticals.
Centers of learning
LVMH inaugurated the IME’s Florence headquarters on Nov. 27 in a ceremony attended by Florence’s mayor Dario Nardella and LVMH executives as well future apprentices of the LVMH Istituto dei Mestieri d’Eccellenza.
Created in 2014, LVMH’s IME seeks to transmit the savoir-faire of the conglomerate's brands, especially the artisanal craftsmanship and creative skills necessary to safeguard luxury manufacturing.
So far, IME has trained more than 300 students in its different vocational programs. IME’s programs combine theoretical courses at partner schools alongside professional experience at houses within the LVMH group.
Students also take language classes and learn through innovative masterclasses.
“The LVMH Institut des Métiers d’Excellence continues to build its presence in Europe with new courses and an expanding network of partners,” said Chantal Gaemperle, executive vice president, human resources and synergies at LVMH, in a statement.
“We are delighted to mark an exciting milestone today with the inauguration of the IME in Palazzo Pucci, a building rich in history that is emblematic of the creativity that inspired the Italian maison,” she said.
The IME Italian headquarters inauguration also marked the beginning of the academic year for apprentices in the two Italy-based programs already established by LVMH, with Polimoda for leather goods (see story) and For.Al for jewelry.
IME’s leather goods and jewelry vocational programs will soon be joined by retail and footwear programs in Italy’s Veneto region. These additions will bring IME’s program offering up to 18 options for apprentices.