Thanks to the Chaire Colbert program, which was established by the Comité Colbert together with the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Appliqués et des Métiers d’Art (ENSAAMA) in 2011, the members of the prestigious Colbert club give design majors a chance to have an immersive experience in their sector and discover some of the many crafts in the French luxury industry, which creates jobs and is always looking for new talent.

This support helps expose young designers to the luxury culture and expand their professional horizons just before they enter the job market. In this 2016-2017 Chaire Colbert edition, Parfums Chanel, Château Lafite-Rothschild, Christian Dior Couture, Hermès, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Potel et Chabot, Puiforcat offered 26 students from ENSAAMA’s Master 2. Design Strategy course an immersion in their universe. Students receive assignments, for instance, to create scenography for a Grand Cru wine, invent a new approach to fragrances or combine botanical materials with those of the silversmith, which allow them to explore different luxury crafts and enlarge the scope of their own creativity.

Luxury houses open up to these fledgling designers, who contribute bold, young insights on brand identity. The houses also keep an eye on likely prospects: since 2011, one hundred fifty-two young designers have completed the Chaire Colbert luxury training program. One out of three is hired by a Colbert member and 100% find a job within a year of graduation. "This is the sixth edition of the Chaire Colbert program. Once again, it has revealed new talents, encouraging the Comité Colbert in its work to support young creatives. These budding designers have a bright future, and so does the luxury industry!" said Elisabeth Ponsolle des Portes, President and CEO of the Comité Colbert.