The Course

The leather bag making course in Florence covers every step of the process, from pattern making to assembling. Through continous, hands-on practice, students will learn how to design, create and refine various types of bags, such as clutch bags, saddle bags, totes, satchels and bucket bags. The course aims to nurture students’ creativity, technical abilities, and entrepreneurial mindset, preparing them for a successful career in the field of bag making or for launching their own brand.

The Partner

Founded in 1949 by the Franciscan friars of Santa Croce and the Gori and Casini families, Scuola del Cuoio began by offering leather working classes to war orphans. Since then, it has upheld fine leather craftsmanship for over 70 years, producing bespoke leather goods for a global clientele.

Located in Florence and managed by the Gori family, Scuola del Cuoio preserves Florentine leather artistry like no other leather school.

Final Collection

Students will conceive, design, and create a capsule collection of bags that reflects their individual style and vision, starting from their moodboards and sketches. This project offers the opportunity to apply all the crafting techniques and skills acquired to an original personal creation, exploring various materials, experimenting with different techniques, and considering aesthetics, functionality, and branding.

The Course

The course combines womenswear and menswear pattern making, draping on the mannequin, textile experimentation and collection development within a coherent and progressive structure. Throughout the year, students develop strong technical skills while building material awareness and design autonomy. Traditional tailoring and dressmaking techniques are explored alongside experimental and sustainable practices, encouraging a critical and process-driven approach to contemporary fashion. Learning unfolds through continuous practice, repetition and direct engagement with materials, within a shared atelier environment that fosters dialogue, experimentation and personal growth.

The program is designed to condense, within one year, a depth of technical and material knowledge often developed over longer academic paths, offering a vertical yet holistic learning experience in one of the world’s most significant cities for craft and fashion culture.

Final Collection

The final phase of the program is entirely dedicated to Collection Development. 

Students conceive, develop and realise a personal fashion collection that reflects their technical growth, aesthetic vision and individual research. The focus is on translating a personal vision into a coherent and technically grounded collection, refining design decisions, material strategies and garment construction within a professional framework.

Alongside collection development, students are supported through portfolio-focused tutoring, aimed at helping them articulate and communicate their process, research and design identity with clarity and awareness. The portfolio is conceived as a critical and narrative instrument, supporting students in defining their direction and preparing for independent projects, further research or entry into the fashion field.

The Course

The Bag Making summer course is a 3 week program that offers students the opportunity to learn the essentials of bag making.

The course will serve as a stepping stone for beginners; designed to provide instruction in material, tools, and crafting techniques of bag making through a hands-on approach.

Students can expect to develop proficiency in bag construction using simple patterns and designs, as well as develop their vision and style.

The Partner

Founded in 1949 by the Franciscan friars of Santa Croce and the Gori and Casini families, Scuola del Cuoio began by offering leather working classes to war orphans. Now, it has upheld fine leather craftsmanship for over 70 years, producing leather goods for a global clientele.

Located in Florence and managed by the Gori family, it blends historical techniques with modern designs, preserving Florentine leather artistry.