Founded in Kyoto’s Nishijin district in 1688, this venerable institution has been run for twelve generations by the Hosoo family, with Masataka Hosoo as its current president. It earned its reputation by supplying the imperial court, samurai and noble families with traditional silk kimonos and accessories woven using the nishijin-ori craft technique, which combines silk, gold and silver threads. This know-how dates back to the 15th century and has been preserved by Hosoo, a spinner, weaver and manufacturer who has constantly innovated in the field of sericulture. The high level of craftsmanship and traditional techniques in Japan, particularly in textiles, is of great interest to the luxury giant, as demonstrated by its partnerships with Hosoo and Kuroki. The partnerships come after the announcement earlier this year of the creation of LVMH Métiers d’Art Japan, a structure dedicated to the development of Japanese know-how and headed by Emina Morioka.

“What we particularly appreciate is that Hosoo controls the entire manufacturing process. Not only has the company managed to preserve its glorious past, but it has also been able to innovate in its manufacturing and dyeing techniques, through research, including the different possible uses of sericulture waste. This merger is the first step towards a long-term collaboration,” explains the CEO of the Métiers d’Art division, Matteo De Rosa.”This collaboration will not only bring innovation to traditional silk manufacturing techniques, but will also introduce new ideas and perspectives, offering opportunities for growth and global visibility,” he comments, highlighting the “intercultural exchange of knowledge and expertise” and the bridge thus created between East and West.

 LVMH has not acquired a stake in Hosoo, as it has done with some of its other partners. “This is a commercial partnership, established with a view to long-term investment,” explains Matteo De Rosa, without going into detail about the agreement. “Hosoo already supplies some of our homes. But the company will now become a partner of the Group and a preferred supplier for all our brands, while we will support its development and build a path to revitalise sericulture in Japan,” he continues. “The manufacturers in our Métiers d’Art division are all number 1 in their field. Our aim is to keep them that way over the long term, by continuing to innovate and remaining relevant. They all have potential. What we’re doing is providing them with an additional driving force, whether in the form of investment or through managerial or commercial support,” he concludes. Focusing on leather, exotic skins and metal, as well as textiles and ready-to-wear, LVMH Métiers d’Art was created by the number 1 in luxury goods in 2015 to create a “body of expertise that is unique in the world” and also to create an ecosystem around exceptional crafts and materials. It brings together 17 specialist suppliers and weighs in at €700 million in sales.