Shoemaking

Italy is the core of leather art in the world, hosting numerous prestigious brands recognized globally. The reason why Italian shoes enchant so many people all over the world is their highly sophisticated designs realized by the endless pursuit for quality of Italian artisans who put value on creating beautiful, comfortable with featherly touch, and inspiring shoes. Accademia Riaci’s Shoemaking course offers students a rare chance to learn the authentic, top-level shoe making techniques, directory from Italian leather artisans with highest skills and rich experience. Students will learn basic techniques of shoe making through intensive lessons, making shoes for their own size. It includes all the steps of shoe making, from measuring the size, cutting patterns, cutting leather, composing, sewing, and finishing. According to the length of the course and experience, students can produce various types of shoes. Instructors : Studio instructors are from a line of family, who has been making leather goods in generations. The studio is located in the area where aristocratic buildings are lined up. The instructor will show students every step of leather crafts in easy comprehensive manner. Design instructors will take you out to out-of-school lessons at Ferragamo Shoes Museum if you prefer. He will help you to draw your best sensibility and design expressions for the latest design work of the world.

(Original video courtesy of AFP, all rights reserved.)

2 weeks Course Sample Schedule

week	day	AM	PM
1st week	Sun.	Arrival in Florence
	Mon.	Orientation, City tour	Free time
	Tue.	Lessons	Free time
	Wed.	Lessons	Free time
	Thu.	Lessons	Free time
	Fri.	Guided art visits	Free time
	Sat.	Cultural Activity
2nd week	Sun.	Free time
	Mon.	Lessons	Free time
	Tue.	Lessons	Free time
	Wed.	Lessons	Free time
	Thu.	Lessons	Free time
	Fri.	Guided art visits	Free time
	Sat.	Housing Check-out

Fees and Schedule 2025
(fees - includes accommodation, meal vouchers (2 meal vouchers + 4 drink (coffee/tea/mineral water) vouchers per week), and weekly visits, etc.)

Duration	Fees (Tuition Fee + Accommodation, etc.)	Credits	Check-in (Sun) - Check-out (Sat)
4 weeks	€ 4,800 (without housing) € 5,200 (Twin Room) € 5,600 (Single Room)	6	[ 2025 ] May 4–May 31 May 18–Jun 14 Jun 1–Jun 28 Jun 15–Jul 12 Jun 29–Jul 26 Jul 13–Aug 9 Aug 24–Sep 20 Sep 7–Oct 4
6 weeks	€ 6,750 (without housing) € 7,350 (Twin Room) € 7,950 (Single Room)	9	[ 2025 ] May 4–Jun 14 May 18–Jun 28 Jun 1–Jul 12 Jun 15–Jul 26 Jun 29–Aug 9 Aug 24–Oct 4
8 weeks	€ 9,000 (without housing) € 9,800 (Twin Room) € 10,600 (Single Room)	12	[ 2025 ] May 4–Jun 28 May 18–Jul 12 Jun 1–Jul 26 Jun 15–Aug 9
12 weeks	€ 12,600 (without housing) € 13,800 (Twin Room) € 15,000 (Single Room)	18	[ 2025 ] May 4–Jul 26 May 18–Aug 9
Note: Due to a SUMMER BREAK, the school will be closed from August 9, 2025, to August 24, 2025. Including Enrollment fee, Tuition, Facilities fee (no materials), Orientation meeting, Eco-friendly bag, Welcome Kit (City map, pen, one lunch ticket), Weekly guided art visits to the best attractions and historical monuments of Florence, Housing: shared apartment – twin room (single room available, also without housing), Housing utilities expense, Meal vouchers (2 meal vouchers + 4 drink (coffee/tea/mineral water) vouchers per week), Cultural trips. Every two weeks (e.g., a trip to Pisa/Siena), English interpreter during lessons with the teacher Materials for artworks used or consumed individually by students are not included in the fees above. *Lessons are composed of two parts: class led by the instructor and practice time (Independent Study) where students can create freely after the guidance.