LVMH names finalists for 2025 Maestri d’Eccellenza prize ahead of Milan Fashion Week

LVMH has announced the nine finalists for the third edition of its Maestri d’Eccellenza awards, which recognize outstanding talent across craftsmanship, innovation, and emerging design. Winners will be revealed during a dedicated event at Milan Fashion Week this September.

 
In the Master Craftsman of Excellence category, Pietro Barbini and Patrizia Fabri have been selected. Marta Benet Morera, Youlin Li, and Bianca Sannolo are finalists for the Emerging Master Artisan of Excellence award. In the Master of Innovation Excellence category, the contenders include Elham M. Aghili, Lucia Massei, and Barbara Ricchi.

The nine finalists were chosen from nearly 350 applicants. The prize is organized by LVMH in partnership with Confartigianato Imprese, the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI), and Thélios, LVMH’s eyewear subsidiary.

This year’s jury will be chaired by renowned film director Ferzan Ozpetek, best known for “Le Fate Ignoranti,” “Saturno Contro,” and “Mine Vaganti.” His body of work in cinema, theater, and opera aligns with the award’s mission to celebrate both cultural heritage and artistic evolution.

The jury also includes Toni Belloni, President of LVMH Italia, and Carlo Capasa, President of CNMI.

Ozpetek’s appointment reflects the growing connection between the worlds of cinema and craftsmanship. That relationship is further highlighted by Thélios, a frequent sponsor of the Venice Film Festival and a key LVMH brand.

 The 2025 ceremony will once again be held in collaboration with the Lombardy region, which will host the final awards event on September 23 at the Belvedere of Palazzo Lombardia in Milan.

“Craftsmanship is more than tradition—it’s a cultural expression,” said Barbara Mazzali, Lombardy’s regional councilor for tourism and fashion. “It brings identity to life through skilled, intentional gestures rooted in history. In Lombardy, this legacy thrives every day—in workshops, boutiques, and manufacturing hubs where talent, dedication, and innovation converge. With the Maestri d’Eccellenza prize, we honor those who preserve traditional knowledge while making it relevant and desirable today.”