PRICE
140 €
Description
Nestled among the rolling Chianti hills overlooking San Gimignano, the ancient rural village of Borgo Poneta has been transformed into a charming agriturismo.
It’s hard to capture in just a few words the beauty and enchanting atmosphere that fills this place. Walking through its historic farmhouses, barns, and granaries—now carefully restored in classic Tuscan style with a deep respect for the environment.
Step into the world of premium shoemaking with an immersive experience that unveils the artistry behind high-quality footwear.
During this hands-on session, you’ll discover the essential steps to designing and crafting exceptional shoes. Learn to distinguish between different models, understand their functionality, and explore why certain materials are better suited for specific designs. This experience will help you develop an eye for quality and craftsmanship, deepening your appreciation for fine footwear.
With guided tutorials, you’ll bring your creative vision to life, sketching unique shoe designs while mastering the fundamentals of materials and construction techniques.
As part of this experience, you’ll also have the exclusive opportunity to visit a prestigious Italian shoe factory, witnessing firsthand the dedication and skill that define authentic Made in Italy footwear.
What You Will Learn:
✔ How to design your own footwear
✔ How to identify and appreciate Made in Italy products
✔ The real value of high-quality footwear and how pricing is determined
✔ How to distinguish authentic craftsmanship from imitations
✔ How to make informed purchasing decisions
✔ The basics of shoe construction, materials, and functionality
✔ How to develop a complete Italian footwear project
Additional Paid Features:
⭐ A guided visit to a renowned Italian shoe factory
⭐ Optional wine and food tasting at Borgo Poneta, paired with a high-end shoemaking tour
⭐Bring your design to life—have your custom shoe crafted by skilled artisans and delivered to your home. Production & shipping take 15-30 days, with pricing varying based on project complexity.
Join us for an unforgettable journey into the artistry of Italian shoemaking!
Your Instructor – Serena Crociato
Serena Crociato is a fashion and accessory designer with extensive experience in both creative design and fashion marketing. She has taught accessory design at Polimoda Florence (2009–2011) and at FUA – Florence University of the Arts (2018), sharing her deep knowledge and passion for Italian craftsmanship.
Her career began in fashion design, where she developed multiple collections for national and international brands. Her work often included the original design of metal components and custom accessories, combining elegance with innovation.
With over 10 years of experience in fashion marketing, Serena has worked alongside sales directors, scouted trends as a cool hunter, and shared insights as a fashion blogger. Her well-rounded expertise brings together design, communication, and an in-depth understanding of the industry.
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Made in Italy Leather Goods: Why Italians Do It Better
This course is designed to reveal what makes Italian leather products truly unique in the world. Through a mix of theory and real-world insights, you’ll understand how centuries of craftsmanship have shaped superior production processes and set Italy apart from other countries.
Italy holds a long-standing tradition of excellence in leather tanning, footwear, and leather goods manufacturing. During the course, you’ll learn how to recognize the quality of a leather product, determine its real value, and spot the difference between an authentic Made in Italy luxury item and a counterfeit.
You’ll discover how to design a handbag or shoe based on its functionality — foreseeing potential weaknesses and ensuring long-lasting usability and elegance.
Original vs. Fake – How to Tell the Difference
If you’ve ever purchased a branded bag from a street vendor and didn’t notice the difference from the boutique version, you may have overlooked the small details that define quality and durability. This course will train your eye to recognize those differences — details that make or break a truly valuable product.
Authentic Italian leather goods are also inherently sustainable. Their durability, paired with the natural, carefully selected raw materials, makes them a responsible and long-lasting choice. A true Made in Italy bag won’t fade or bleed, and a 100% leather shoe can help regulate body temperature while providing superior comfort.
Both bags and shoes often carry a special marking — a product cryptogram — that identifies the materials used and where the product was made. You’ll learn to recognize and interpret these labels, gaining a deeper understanding of authenticity and transparency in Italian craftsmanship.
From Idea to Icon – How an Italian Leather Bag is Born
Learn how Italian handbags and shoes are designed and crafted — from initial sketch to finished product. Discover why creating a high-quality Made in Italy item takes time, care, and true craftsmanship.
Each piece is made by hand, and the designer must consider every detail: aesthetics, construction, functionality, and durability. This is the essence of Italian creativity — drawing from generations of knowledge, refined over time and passed down from teacher to student.
Timeless Rules Passed Down Through Generations
To create exceptional leather goods, you must understand the traditional rules that have shaped Italian craftsmanship. Many small artisans in Italy are family-run businesses, handed down through generations — a legacy that holds artistic, historical, and cultural value.
This course will guide you through these traditions and give you the tools to appreciate, design, and one day even create your own Italian leather product — the real way.