Hackathon LVMH: 'We want to help new generations emerge,' Marc-Antoine Jamet

As the culmination of the Cosmetic 360 show organized by the competitive cluster, the announcement of the 2018 Hackathon Maker winner closed this future-oriented event on an enthusiastic note. The four-day competition gathered eight teams of young marketers, designers, and developers for a challenge involving the 3D creation of a cosmetic concept inspired by nature. This year, the jury composed of representatives of the LVMH Group Houses (Parfums Christian Dior, Kenzo Parfums, Sephora, or Guerlain) rewarded the “Les Petites Essentielles” project in line with an emerging trend, aromatherapy. The concept exposed involves the tailor-made composition of natural essential oils based on an accurate diagnosis and showcased in a bottle with a design evoking nature. The team won a EUR 5,000 financial support to develop their project. Marc-Antoine Jamet, president of the Cosmetic Valley, organizer of the competition, and member of the jury, applauded the dynamics of this second edition and mapped the contours of the 2019 Hackathon for Premium Beauty News.

Premium Beauty News - This year’s competition was unique in that it imposed a finished product created in 3D. How did it go?

Marc-Antoine Jamet - This year was more complex than expected. We had three main difficulties. The first was the theme: the idea was to deliver something concrete with a prototype, which is much more difficult than delivering an idea. As a result, the challenge also involved learning how to use prototyping tools, i.e. the software and the printer. Lastly, we had very high expectations as regards environmental protection.

The award went to the team that managed to streamline the process, but generally speaking, once again, I am astonished at the work everyone did in four days: they did not know each other the day before and they teamed up to deliver really great work.

Premium Beauty News - How would you sum up the 2018 Hackathon Maker?

Marc Antoine Jamet - The strength of Hackathon lies in the youth it puts forward. These young people face a jury of professionals happy to work in a different context. There is this notion of knowledge transmission and preparation for the future, this will to support and create new emerging generations.

Premium Beauty News - What about next year?

Marc Antoine Jamet - I think we will go back to a blend of nationalities within the teams, just like we did in 2017. We could not do it this year due to the 3D software and printer training: we needed French participants. But global participation creates interesting dynamics. In 2019, I want to open the competition to creative freedom, not restrain it.