LVMH Métiers d’Excellence announced the nine finalists for the fourth edition of the "Maestri d’Eccellenza award", dedicated to Italian master artisans.

Organized in collaboration with Bulgari, through the Bulgari Foundation, Confartigianato Imprese, and the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, the award will once again honor three master artisans from diverse fields across three categories, selected from 250 entries.

Celebrate artisanal savoir-faire and the heritage of "Made in Italy" craftsmanship

The LVMH Métiers d’Excellence “Maestri d’Eccellenza Prize” is an Italian never-before-seen craftsmanship competition, with the aim to raise awareness on rare savoir-faire and skills that must be preserved and passed on to future generations. The “Maestri d’Eccellenza Prize” celebrates artisans from all backgrounds across three categories: honoring experienced artisans who have distinguished themselves for the quality of their work throughout their whole career path; emerging artisans carrying a promising and ongoing project; and professionals who have distinguished themselves by their capacity for innovation, preserving historical knowledge and skills while reinterpreting them in a modern key.

The prize highlights top external artisans across three main categories

Among the finalists in the established artisan category (Master Craftsman of Excellence) are Carlo Colombo, co-owner of Tessitura La Colombina with his brother Mario; Daniel Mauceri of Arte Pupara dal 1978 (specializing in the creation of Sicilian puppets); and Elena Ciarrocchi, a professional hand embroiderer specializing in gold embroidery.

Vying for the title of Emerging Master Craftsman of Excellence are ceramicist Federica Paglia (selected for the award), Verde Alfieri, who creates paper jewelry by combining fine or recycled papers, and Lorenzo Seghezzi, an emerging fashion designer who founded his brand in 2021, known for the gender-fluid sartorial creations.

Competing for the Master of Innovation of Excellence award are Mirei Monticelli of Casa Monticelli, who specializes in light sculptures and installations; textile artisan Graziella Carta of Studio Pratha; and milliner Karin Monica.

The winner in each category will be announced on September 14 at the Bulgari Hotel in Rome; each will receive a prize of €10,000 to reinvest in their business, as well as media exposure and mentoring sessions with Bulgari professionals.

The jury members

The finalists were selected by a jury of internal and external experts, including, among others, Roman artist Quayola; Laura Burdese, ceo of Bulgari; Marion Bardet, vice president of Métiers d’Excellence at LVMH; Massimo Di Valentini, senior director of Product Development and Innovation at Bulgari and a 2021 Virtuoso; Toni Belloni, LVMH advisor and ceo and President of LVMH Italia; Maud Alvarez-Pereyre, chief human resources officer at LVMH; and Carlo Capasa, president of the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana.