LVMH opens the doors to its fashion houses across Europe and around the world

The announcement of the return of Les Journées Particulières came in the spring; the programme for the sixth edition of this LVMH initiative is now available, aimed at anyone who is curious or keen to take a peek behind the scenes of the luxury sector and the world of craftsmanship. For three days, from 16 to 18 October, 46 fashion houses will exceptionally open 65 venues across 11 countries, offering the public a host of new experiences and access to various locations that are open to the public for the first time. Ateliers, workshops, cellars, historic residences, archives and iconic boutiques will invite visitors to discover the savoir-faire, the tradition and the men and women who bring the maisons’ creations to life.

Launched in 2011, Les Journées Particulières is a free event, and this sixth edition features a number of new developments: several venues will be opening their doors for the first time, and new ways of visiting will be introduced, with a particular focus on evening experiences. ‘With this new edition of Les Journées Particulières, we wanted to return to the very origins of the dream: the places where our maisons have their roots, the regions that inspire them and the people who bring them to life. With 65 venues opening worldwide, we want to offer the public much more than just a visit: an encounter with what profoundly shapes the identity, quality and excellence of our maisons,” explained Antoine Arnault, Head of Image and Environment at LVMH, whilst presenting the event in Milan.

Under the theme ‘At the origins of the dream’, this edition invites the public to discover where creation begins, highlighting three fundamental dimensions of the maisons’ excellence: nature, culture and craftsmanship. Nature, because every creation stems from materials, terroirs, landscapes and the living world, which are a source of inspiration for the houses and a guarantee of the highest level of quality. This commitment is demonstrated, in particular, by the 4.3 million hectares of natural habitats that have been preserved or restored, and by the fact that 99.9 per cent of the grapes come from LVMH vineyards certified for sustainable viticulture. Culture, because every house has its roots in a history and a tradition, largely embodied by its iconic locations. Craftsmanship, because it is in the hands of the artisans, in the precision of their movements and in the passing on of knowledge that excellence takes shape, handed down within the group by 280 trades and over 320 ‘masters of their craft’. In Italia, this vision translates into a presence deeply rooted in the local area: 6 Italian maisons, 282 shops, 18,202 employees and 72 production sites. From Tuscany to Piedmont, from Veneto to Lazio, right through to Valenza and the Marche, the bond between the local area, culture, materials and craftsmanship emerges with great clarity.

In Paris, among the new additions, CELINE’s ready-to-wear ateliers on Rue Vivienne will open their doors for the first time, as will the Paris Match archives. La Samaritaine will offer an exclusive dawn-time experience. Louis Vuitton will open several iconic venues in France and Switzerland. In regional areas and historic sites, visitors will be able to explore the Hennessy distillery in Cognac, the Veuve Clicquot vineyard in Champagne and Christian Dior’s Château de La Colle Noire. Internationally, a number of openings will highlight the event’s global reach, including Casa Loewe in Madrid, Tiffany & Co.’s Bird on the Rock atelier in New York, an event in Shanghai and the opening of Belmond’s Mount Nelson in Cape Town.

In Italia, Les Journées Particulières will take on particular significance across eight venues: