CRAFT GALORE: LVMH Métiers d’Excellence on Monday revealed the nine finalists of the fourth edition of the Maestri d’Eccellenza Award dedicated to Italian master artisans.
Partnering on the initiative with Bulgari through the Fondazione Bulgari, the prize will again acknowledge three master artisans from all backgrounds across three categories, selected from among 250 applications.
Finalists in the category of established artisans with 10 or more years of experience include Carlo Colombo from textile firm Tessitura La Colombina; Daniel Mauceri from Arte Pupara dal 1978, which specializes in the creation of Sicilian “pupi” or puppets, and Elena Ciarrocchi, an embroiderer known for her use of gold threads.
Among the emerging artisans with under 10 years of experience, the prize shortlisted ceramist Federica Paglia; Verde Alfieri, who develops paper jewelry, and Lorenzo Seghezzi, an up-and-coming fashion designer known for his gender-bending sartorialwear, who has regularly presented his collections at Milan Fashion Week.
Competing for the innovators award are Mirei Monticelli from Casa Monticelli, specialized in light sculptures and installations; textile artisan Graziella Carta from Studio Pratha, and milliner Karin Monica.
A winner for each category will be revealed on Sept. 14 at the Bulgari Hotel in Rome, with each bestowed a prize of 10,000 euros to reinvest in their business as well as media coverage and mentoring sessions with Bulgari professionals.
The jury is made up of Roman artist Quayola; Bulgari’s chief executive officer Laura Burdese; Marion Bardet, LVMH group vice president of Métiers d’Excellence; Massimo Di Valentini, Bulgari’s product development and innovation senior director and Virtuoso 2021; Toni Belloni, adviser to LVMH and CEO and president of LVMH Italy; Maud Alvarez-Pereyre, LVMH’s group chief human resources officer, as well as Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana’s president Carlo Capasa, among others.
The prize’s previous three editions were organized in partnership with Fendi, Loro Piana and eyewear manufacturer Thélios, respectively — all part of the French group.
The Maestri d’Eccellenza Award was launched in 2023 in Italy and developed with Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana and the Confartigianato association, aiming to raise awareness around the importance of local craftsmanship and its preservation, attracting media attention to the cause and offering financial aid to some of its exponents.
