LVMH has announced the finalists for the fourth edition of the Maestri d’Eccellenza Award

LVMH has announced the nine finalists- selected from more than 250 applications- for the fourth edition of the Maestri d’Eccellenza Award, organised in collaboration with Confartigianato Imprese, the National Chamber of Italian Fashion, and the Bulgari Foundation.
 

There are three finalists in each of the award categories: “Master Artisan of Excellence,” which honours professionals and companies with at least 10 years’ experience who have distinguished themselves through creativity and technical expertise; “Emerging Master Artisan of Excellence,” reserved for promising artisanal projects realised in the 10 years preceding entry to the competition; and “Master of Excellence in Innovation,” for professionals and companies recognised for their ability to innovate while preserving their heritage of traditional knowledge and skills.
 
The finalists in the first category are: Carlo Colombo, co-owner- together with his brother Mario- of Tessitura la Colombina, founded in 1895 as a silk mill and, in 1948, evolving into handloom weaving before expanding into accessories and, finally, knitwear; Daniel Mauceri, a member of the historic Vaccaro-Mauceri family, custodians of Syracuse’s Opera dei Pupi for three generations; and Elena Carrocchi, a professional hand embroiderer specialising in goldwork.

Competing for the title of “Emerging Master Artisan of Excellence 2026” are Federica Paglia (ceramics), who creates works with a strong narrative character by combining different disciplines and materials in her studio-workshop in Rome; Verde Alfieri (paper jewellery), who crafts wearable pieces by combining fine or recycled papers; and Lorenzo Seghezzi, whose brand, founded in 2021, redefines contemporary tailoring through an absolute dedication to high-end craftsmanship, placing corsetry at the heart of its identity.
 
Finally, competing for the “Master of Excellence in Innovation 2026” award are Mirei Monticelli of Casa Monticelli, who creates luminous sculptures and installations using banaca, a natural fibre derived from abaca; Graziella Carta of Studio Pratha, a creative hub established in 2017 from the meeting of contemporary artistic inspirations and a refined textile technique with a millennia-old history, native to the Sardinian hinterland; and Karin Monica (millinery), who explores felt as a living, transformable sculptural material through continuous experimentation with materials.
 
The winners in each category, to be announced during an event on September 14 at the Bvlgari Hotel Roma in Italy, will be selected by a jury chaired by the artist Quayola.