LVMH has brought back Les Journées Particulières, its global open-doors initiative showcasing the artisans and specialist craftsmanship behind its luxury brands, with 71 locations welcoming visitors over three days.

Returning after a four-year break, the sixth edition began with the LVMH Virtuosos ceremony at Paris department store La Samaritaine, where artisans were recognised for excellence in their respective fields. The launch continued with a gathering hosted by Antoine Arnault, LVMH’s director of image and environment, featuring personalised Louis Vuitton luggage tags, Hennessy cognac and Cova panettone.

The 2026 class of LVMH Virtuosos, comprising 69 artisans, entered the event behind flag-bearers, receiving applause from guests as they carried jewellery boxes containing specially designed pins from Maison Fred.

The initiative comes at a difficult moment for the luxury industry. LVMH shares had fallen by more than 40% since the beginning of the year, and the group had lost its position as France’s most valuable company to L’Oréal. Protests and looting across France also affected some retail locations, including stores belonging to Dior, Louis Vuitton and Celine. An LVMH spokesperson said most scheduled events proceeded, although opening hours were adjusted in some cases.

Putting People and Craftsmanship at the Centre

Speaking ahead of the launch, Arnault said LVMH had initially planned to hold the event the following year because of the considerable time, effort and expense involved. However, artisans and workshop leaders made clear that they wanted the initiative to return sooner.

He also acknowledged that the group’s rapid expansion had prompted questions about whether it was maintaining its founding values.

This edition places less emphasis on breaking attendance records and more on giving visitors direct access to the people behind luxury products. The previous event welcomed around 200,000 visitors, but LVMH has reduced the number of participating houses for the latest edition.

Arnault said the initiative was particularly relevant in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, providing an opportunity for visitors to meet craftspeople and learn about their work directly.

The LVMH Virtuosos programme supports this objective throughout the year. Members represent their respective maisons, take part in specialist development masterclasses and mentor others working to develop their skills.

Inside Celine’s Ready-to-Wear Atelier

Celine opened its ready-to-wear workshop to the public for the first time, offering visitors a closer look at the development of runway garments and bespoke pieces.

Alla, a prototype machinist specialising in flou, the techniques used to create fluid and draped designs, demonstrated the process by making a model of a sculptural rose detail for a dress. A member of the 2023 Virtuosos class, she has worked under three creative directors at Celine and is now part of a 50-person team producing runway prototypes and custom orders for VIP clients for Michael Rider and his design team.

The atelier is located inside the historic Hôtel Colbert de Torcy, a 17th-century mansion where Celine established its headquarters in 2014. The workshop is divided into tailoring and flou sections beneath a large glass skylight.

Armelle, the flou studio manager and patternmaker, has spent 15 years at the house. She highlighted the loyalty that can develop between craftspeople and the brands they work for, noting that one colleague had recently retired after 25 years.

# LVMH Opens

Louis Vuitton’s Artisans Turn Designs Into Reality

At Louis Vuitton’s leather goods prototype workshop on Rue du Louvre, workshop manager Yannick oversees 34 patternmaker-prototypists. With 20 years of experience at LVMH, including time in workshops in France and Italy, he leads a team responsible for translating designers’ concepts into physical products.

The process begins with a sketch or brief. Artisans develop three-dimensional geometric patterns to determine how the leather pieces will fit together, then create rough prototypes using canvas or material made from leather offcuts. Once approved, the design can move into final production.

Adèle, who joined the team 12 years ago, said the role requires creativity, precision and a strong understanding of both sewing techniques and leatherworking. Developing the necessary expertise takes years of practice, she explained, with five to 10 years often needed to become a skilled leatherworker.

Innovation also keeps the work evolving. Louis Vuitton has expanded its range of softer bag designs and introduced materials such as jacquard versions of its signature Monogram canvas and Silk Tech, a twill-woven blend of silk and reclaimed nylon.

These developments require artisans to adapt their techniques continually, making experimentation an important part of the workshop’s work.

Culinary Arts Join the Programme

Les Journées Particulières also extended into luxury hospitality, with Hakuba, the two-Michelin-starred restaurant at Cheval Blanc, opening its doors to visitors interested in Japanese cuisine.

The restaurant offered three 15-minute workshops focused on tea, futomaki and mochi, giving guests an introduction to its culinary techniques without booking its €420 multi-course omakase experience.

Pastry chef Maxime Frédéric, who works alongside sushi master Takuya Watanabe and chef Arnaud Donckele, has developed a signature ultra-thin mochi shell combining Japanese traditions with French pastry craftsmanship.

Sacha Vadier, assistant executive pastry chef at Cheval Blanc and an LVMH Virtuoso, introduced a rhubarb mochi designed to resemble sushi, topped with slices of poached rhubarb.

Vadier said the event offered an opportunity to share his own expertise while learning about other specialist crafts, including watchmaking, which shares an emphasis on precision and intricate detail.

For LVMH, the initiative highlights the people, knowledge and technical skills that distinguish its businesses. By opening ateliers, workshops and hospitality spaces to the public, the group is offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience the craftsmanship behind luxury goods while helping preserve skills that form part of France’s cultural heritage.