TRAINING PROGRAM January 2020 Stefano Bemer, offers a professional educational program in the of handmade men’s . The overall program is composed of three stages to be completed over the course of a year. The first introductory stage (“Apprentice” level) is for novices with a strong desire to acquire the basic skill set and knowledge base of hand-made shoes, followed by the second, or “Artisan”, level to complete and enhance the knowledge base of the first trimester. It consists of three months of intensive study and work that can lead to the “Maestro” level. The “artisan” and “maestro” programs are only open to students who have completed the previous levels of study with Stefano Bemer or to applicants in the field who have a solid foundation and experience. The Maestro level is therefore reserved to selects students that have shown commitment and skills and that are, also but not necessarily, possible prospects to eventually become part of the Stefano Bemer’s Shoemaking team.

2 Today, Stefano Bemer is recognized as one of the best and most exclusive shoemakers in the world. Its story began inauspiciously as Mr. Stefano, observing a hole in the sole of his favorite shoes, decided to resole them himself… Driven by a sudden passion for the craft, he apprenticed with a traditional custom shoemaker for several years, opened his first repair shop in Geeve in Chianti in 1983 and eventually opened his own shoemaking workshop in 1987. His outlook on developing his trade was centered on “learning from mistakes” and adhering to time- honored tradition and technique but with the ambition of creating the perfect in technique, style, comfort, longevity. We went a long way into this journey, but we haven’t stopped creating and experimenting…!

3 Training Location: Florence Duration: Apprentice Level: January 20 until March 27, 2020 Artisan Level: March 30th until June 26th, 2020 (no class the week of June 8th or 15th, on the occasion of Pitti Uomo) Maestro Level: By admission. July 2020 – December 2020 TBD Attendance: Mandatory attendance; classes and workshop hours are Monday – Friday from 10.30 AM to 1.30 PM and from 2.00 to 5.00 PM (subject to adjustments Language: English or Italian Academic Requirements: High school diploma; A high-intermediate level of the English or Italian language sufficient to understand and participate in lessons (indicatively corresponding to level TOEFL 450), 18 Commitment and motivation are the only pre-requisites we ask to our years of age at the time of application. prospective students, for they will have to face an intensive (6 hours a day, 5 Number of participants: days a week) training program in order to become flags of Stefano Bemer’s Enrollment is limited to 12 students. Students attending both shoemaking philosophy regardless if they develop their career by becoming modules are prioritized over the 3 months ones. part of our staff or they go their own way. Program Level and Basic Description: Please note that, as opposed to any other school, we provide all the This intensive three-month program is the introduction to materials and tools throughout the course, with the only exception of the basic techniques and methodology to make hand-made men’s last project you would be working on, which is your own (last shoes. Students who complete this course may continue their and materials for the project are selected by the students. A rough estimate studies in the Intermediate/Artisan course. This course is of the cost is around 200 euros). comprised of 360 hours, equivalent to 450 academic hours.

4 Apprentice Level

Structure and Method Classes meet Monday through Friday with both morning and afternoon sessions. In addition, students will be working outside of class time on their projects. Homework includes individual and group works. This program is a hands-on, practical, old-masters approach to learning the artisan craft of shoemaking. Instructors are all professionals in the field who will impart both their theoretical and practical abilities as well as their real- world experience as a shoemaker. Apprentice level fee: 8000 €. If booked together with the second level (Artigiano), the oversll price is 13800 €. Fees include: all class works, lessons, use of laboratories, taxes and . Not included: accommodation and meals, airfare, airport transfer and meals, particular equipping requested, wooden last and material for personal projects. Dates: : January 20th to March 27th, 2020

Lesson Plan

The approximate program curriculum for the introductory “apprentice” level include: 1) Artisan Techniques (70 hours), 2) Bespoke Shoemaking (20 hours), 3) Last Analysis and Last Making (70 hours), 4) Leather Cutting Techniques (20 hours), 5) Upper Stitching (20 hours). In addition, there is also the Workshop Practicum where students will spend 200 hours. *Indication of hours per class (per subject) is merely indicative. 5 Artisan Techniques Starting with the knowledge of shoemaking tools and the correct handling and use of shoe forms and tools, students will learn how to stretch the shoe model onto the form, the manipulation and contention of the shoe model, attaching, nailing the materials completely assembled without machinery and stitching the sole in full respect of the health of the foot. Bespoke Shoemaking Students will learn the process of Bespoke shoemaking from the initial measurements to finishing touches according to Stefano Bemer’s experience and traditional craft techniques. Last Analysis and Last Making Starting from the wooden last, participants analyze the shape, Artigiano Level last, contour and proportions of the foot, as well as the influence After having successfully completed the Apprentice level, students are that posture and movement have on shoemaking. Students will welcome to continue to the Artigiano level where they will upgrade and then practice cutting and developing lasts. practice the skills acquired from the first module. Leather Cutting Techniques Dates: March 30th to June 26th, 2020 The study of different types of leather and their characteristics. Leather usage for specific shoe pieces (soles, upper and so on) depending on their thickness, softness and resistance and the techniques and methods for their correct cutting. Maestro Level Upper Stitching Students selected for the third level will attend the highest level of training Having prepared and cut each shoe piece, they are then thinned available in the field. Admission is by arbitrary decision of the Stefano Bemer’s or reinforced and prepared for assemblage and . The board. methods of correct flat machine sewing are also studied. Pre-enrollment necessary with a deposit of 1000 (refunded if the application is Working Practicum not accepted) at the moment of the enrollment. If accepted, the deposit is lost if Students will work in a professional workshop (free workshop) students decide to not attend. Students accepted will be notified in early May. practicing and perfecting the use of tools and techniques learned Maestro Level fee: 5000 € during the individual modules. Dates: By admission. July 2020 – December 2020 TBD Much of the “workshop” time is devoted

6 Stefano Bemer Via San Niccolò 2 50125 Firenze (Italia)

Ph: +39.055.046.0476 Fax: +39.055.046.0477 [email protected] www.stefanobemer.com P. Iva IT06321030485

Stefano Bemer Bespoke Shoemaker

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