Florence above all Italian cities has been the center of the Italian leather industry, nurturing generations of highly skilled artisans and craftsmen, with an uncompromising insistence on quality and top-level techniques. High-quality brands of bags and shoes, like Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, Roberto Cavalli, Emilio Pucci were born here.
In the school laboratory, our teachers will instill in you their passion and high-level technical skills, through an easy and comprehensive teaching approach. We believe our courses will be a valuable asset for your professional future, giving you the unique chance to develop your inner expressive world and refine your aesthetic sense.
The academic year course is held throughout 28 weeks of actual classes. During this time, each student has the opportunity to fully develop his/her creativity, while mastering every leather-related technique, exploring all fields of employment and manufacturing methods (both hand sewing and machine sewing). Students will produce a wide range of different works, from small objects to handbags, until interior components and pieces of furniture.
Accademia Riaci Master Course students will, after acquiring techniques of all types of bags, pursue more advanced techniques of bag design according to their research topic. During the course, students will explore various aspects of the bag industry, including expression of creativity and techniques in bag making process as well as the practical process of sales and business side, with emphasis on the practical application of their study to the bag industry.
Accademia Riaci offers unique opportunities for students, thanks to its close relationship with leather industry. During the second semester of the course, students will work on “Corporate Study”, in which students can work on projects together with local companies/designers under supervision of the professor, to learn the actual production process in Italy, which is known for producing bags of the highest quality in the world.
Students will learn all the steps of leather bag making from Florentine artisans such as rough sketch and design, cutting patterns, cutting leather, skiving, composing, sewing, and edge maneuvering, as well as accessories. They will start from simple objects such as small cases and book covers, and learn how to craft bespoke original bags, realizing various bags such as party bags, decoration bags, business bags, travel bags, pocket, pouch, backpacks, messenger, according to their period of study and interest.
Note: the "Summer Intensive Course" has the same contents as the "Short Course", but with a double number of lessons. Furthermore, it includes housing and extracurricular activities and services.
Students will learn all the steps of leather bag making from Florentine artisans such as rough sketch and design, cutting patterns, cutting leather, skiving, composing, sewing, and edge maneuvering, as well as accessories. They will start from simple objects such as small cases and book covers, and learning how to craft bespoke original bags, realizing various bags such as party bags, decoration bags, business bags, travel bags, pocket, pouch, backpack, messenger, according to their period of study and interest.
Prof. FORTINI
Leather Arts instructors are Italian, who has been making leather goods for generations. The atelier where classes are held is located in the area where aristocratic buildings are lined up. The instructor will show students every step of leather crafts in an easy and comprehensive manner.
