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 2026
(fees - includes accommodation, meal vouchers (2 meal vouchers + 4 drink (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	[ 2026 ] May 3 – May 30 May 17 – Jun 13 May 31 – Jun 27 Jun 14 – Jul 11 Jun 28 – Jul 25 Jul 12 – Aug 8 Aug 16 – Sep 12 Aug 30 – Sep 26 Sep 13 – Oct 10
6 weeks	€ 6,750 (without housing) € 7,350 (Twin Room) € 7,950 (Single Room)	9	[ 2026 ] May 3 – Jun 13 May 17 – Jun 27 May 31 – Jul 11 Jun 14 – Jul 25 Jun 28 – Aug 8 Aug 16 – Sep 26 Aug 30 – Oct 10
8 weeks	€ 9,000 (without housing) € 9,800 (Twin Room) € 10,600 (Single Room)	12	[ 2026 ] May 3 – Jun 27 May 17 – Jul 11 May 31 – Jul 25 Jun 14 – Aug 8 Aug 16 – Oct 10
12 weeks	€ 12,600 (without housing) € 13,800 (Twin Room) € 15,000 (Single Room)	18	[ 2025 ] May 3 – Jul 25 May 17 – Aug 8
Note: Due to a SUMMER BREAK, the school will be closed from August 8, 2026, to August 16, 2026. Including Enrollment fee, Tuition, Facilities fee (no materials), Orientation meeting, Eco-friendly bag, Welcome Kit (City map, pen, one lunch ticket), Weekly guided art tours (including museum admission tickets), Biweekly cultural excursions (e.g., trips to Pisa or Siena), Housing: shared apartment – twin room (single room available, also without housing), Housing utilities expense, Meal vouchers (two meal vouchers and four drink vouchers (mineral water) per week), 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.