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Men’s HandMade Training Programs Stefano Bemer Firenze

OVERVIEW The bespoke shoemaking courses are designed for students who want to acquire the skills to turn their creative ideas into a fnal pair of bespoke men’s shoes. The program is composed of three stages to be completed over the course of a year.

The bespoke shoemaking courses are designed for students who want to acquire the skills to turn their creative ideas into a fnal product. The program is composed of three stages to be completed over the course of a year. The frst, introductory stage – called Apprentice – is for students who wish to acquire the basic skill-set and knowledge-base of hand-made shoemaking.This program lasts 10 weeks. The Artigiano Level is a semester long program that includes the apprentice level, which enablea students to have a complete shoemaking profle.

This path must be completed before progressing to the Maestro level which can be undertaken only upon invitation of a master . The next session starts on August 24th 20, 2020.

THE SCHOOL Since 2014 Stefano Bemer has offered a professional artisan educational program in the of handmade men’s shoes in Florence. Students from more than 20 countries have successfully attended this course. The late Stefano Bemer committed his short and yet bright career to master his unique blend of shoemaking techniques and to create what he wanted to become the perfect Italian men’s . This quest to develop his own idea of perfection has led to accomplishments that have been recognized and acclaimed by connoisseurs all around the world. This would have been enough for most people. However, great people in history understand that it is not just about themselves, in the here and now, but also about their legacy and the impact they have on others. With this in mind, Stefano Bemer is committed to training and transmitting its own legacy of quality and style. METHOD Stefano Bemer’s training course is part of SCHOLA, a network of schools for bespoke makers

Stefano Bemer’s training program aims to empower each student to pursue their dream of handmaking men’s shoes through the development of both their skills and vision.

Students also engage with design and branding elements essential to developing a personal path in this , that will impact their future as makers, entrepreneurs or successful employees all over the world.

The courses are for individuals seeking to extend and develop their practice and skills in the heart of Florence, the center of “Made in ” .This course of learning is driven by the student’s self- defned project.

The nature of the discipline is such that the course will rely on skilled practitioners as the key facilitators of learning.

Instructors are craftsmen who will have a common focus in that they will seek to develop the skills of students as proactive and refective independent learners.

Some workshop activities will require students to work in groups, also from other courses, in scenarios involving multiple cultures and nationalities.

INFORMATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

ATTENDANCE ANDTIMETABLE Mandatory attendance; classes and workshop hours are: Monday – Friday from 10,00 AM to 1.00 PM and from 2.00 to 5.00 PM (subject to adjustments). The Apprentice level is 10 weeks long while the Artigiano course is 17 weeks long and it’s comprised of 600 contact hours.

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS Enrollment is limited to 12 students. Students attending the full semester are prioritized over students attending only the apprentice module

CALENDAR

Apprentice level (300 hours) 3° intake 24th august – 30th october

Artigiano level (600hours including the apprentice level,) 2° intake 24th august - 18th December APPRENTICE LEVEL

This is an introductory program for beginners, designed for students who wish to begin their professional path as a shoemaker.

Classes meet Monday through Friday with both morning and afternoon sessions. In addition, students work 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 feld who will impart both their theoretical and practical abilities as well as their real world experience as a shoemaker.

The 2020 Training Program will be directed and supervised by Mrs. Masako Bando. Mrs Bando apprenticed for 14 years with Maestro Stefano Bemer and has been directing the training program since 2013. During this program students will attend the following modules:

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 assembled without machinery and stitching the sole in full respect of the health of the foot.

LAST ANALYSIS AND LAST MAKING Students will learn the process of Bespoke shoemaking from the initial measurements to fnishing touches according to Stefano Bemer’s experience and traditional craft techniques.

LEATHER CUTTING TECHNIQUES Starting from the wooden last, participants analyze the shape, last, contour and proportions of the foot, as well as the infuence that posture and movement have on shoemaking. Students will then practice cutting and developing lasts.

UPPER STITCHING Having prepared and cut each piece of the shoe, they are then thinned or reinforced and prepared for assembling and . The methods of correct fat machine sewing are also studied.

WORKING PRACTICUM Students will work in a professional workshop (free workshop) practicing and perfecting the use of tools and techniques learned during the individual modules. Much of the “workshop” time is devoted to the completion of assignments and projects.

ARTIGIANO LEVEL

After having successfully completed the Apprentice level, students will upgrade and practice the skills acquired from the frst module. During the full path students will gain the ability to manufacture a pair of men’s shoes. Classes meet Monday through Friday with both morning and afternoon sessions.

“Artigiano”, level consists of a semester long path of intensive study, practice and work that can lead to the “Maestro” level. Some students are entitled to access the fnal part of this level only if they have completed the previous levels of study with Stefano Bemer or to applicants in the feld who have a solid foundation and experience. Instructors are all professionals in the feld who will impart both their theoretical and practical abilities as well as their real world experience as a shoemaker

During this module students will gain the ability to manufacture a pair of men’s shoes. Classes meet Monday through Friday with both morning and afternoon sessions.

The 2020 Training Program will be directed and supervised by Mrs. Masako Bando. Mrs Bando apprenticed for 14 years with Maestro Stefano Bemer and has been directing the training program since 2013.

STRUCTURE AND METHOD The “Artigiano” level (600 hours long - divided between specifc modules and supervised project completion in the workshop) aims to complete and enhance the knowledge base of the frst trimester. This program is very practical and students will also engage with design and branding elements essential to developing a personal path in this industry, that will impact their future as makers, entrepreneurs or successful employees all over the world.

During this program students will also attend some special theoretical modules such as:

HISTORY OF This module traces the history of Italian and western fashion from the mid-18th century to the present day. Delivered through lectures, screenings and visits, the course introduces students to understanding fashion as a social and cultural phenomenon through the examination, exploration and consideration of creativity, context and archiving.

PHOTOGRAPHY LAB This module will provide the basic skills for taking still-life photographs of shoes and accessories and allow students to gain skills necessary to create images for press and digital media.

DESIGN AND BRANDING ELEMENTS Students will learn basic concepts of design-centered approach related to leather products. Elements of Branding will provide students with an overall view of the potential of their product and brand.

These modules will be attended in collaboration with the leather bags and accessories students of Scuola del Cuoio.

At this link you can see a selection of shoes made by former artigianato level students