EXCLUSIVE: Kering Heads to the Suburbs to Support Young Design Talent

PARIS — Kering is venturing outside the city to become the official partner of a creative hub in Paris’ northern suburbs intended to introduce youngsters to careers in fashion and visual arts. The aim is to build bridges between young people in the Greater Paris area, notably its often underprivileged suburbs, and the luxury segment.

The luxury heavyweight is helping to fund, through “a significant investment,” according to a spokesperson, a new space at the 0-93. Lab project in Aulnay-sous-Bois, north of Paris, that is set to open at the end of the first quarter.

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“This partnership with 0-93. Lab embodies our sincere commitment to the transmission of know-how. By fostering mentorship for young talents, we encourage the emergence of a new creative generation, thereby contributing to the promotion of the unique craftsmanship within our industry,” stated Béatrice Lazat, Kering’s chief people officer.

0-93. Lab, named with the ZIP code for the Seine-Saint-Denis department, is a nonprofit founded in 2019 that aims to make fashion design and visual arts more accessible to young people. It organizes workshops and free cultural events for youngsters in and around the suburb of Aulnay-sous-Bois.

Open to all, its ambition is to help them prepare for art and design schools and accompany them in their personal and professional creative projects. It was founded in 2019 by designer Bastien J. Laurent, cofounder of Atelier Avoc and winner of the ANDAM Creative Label Prize in 2017, who grew up in the area.

“With the support of major players like Kering, we can help new generations of Greater Paris talent play a key role in the growth of France’s creative industries,” Laurent said. “Kering’s sincere and respectful approach truly values our identity as well as the hybrid and experimental nature of our project.”

Thanks to Kering’s backing, the 0-93. Lab will soon inaugurate a new 3,250-square-foot space in the Cité des 3000 area of Aulnay-sous-Bois fully equipped for activities including sewing, dyeing, screen printing, embroidery, photography and filmmaking.

Kering has already started mentoring youngsters at 0-93. Lab, with a first six-month program just completed. Another joint project involved youngsters working with fabrics from Balenciaga to create costumes for the ballet “Apaches” at the Opéra de Paris. The collaboration will be expanded this year with the launch of a workshop program where young people will work directly with Balenciaga’s creative teams.

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