When experienced professionals seek to deepen their craft, they often turn to institutions that can bridge the gap between practical experience and technical mastery. This spring, we had the pleasure of training a talented production lead from Melbourne’s luxury fashion scene, who joined our Bag Pattern Making and Prototyping course from April 23rd to August 6th, 2025.
With a Bachelor in Fashion Design from RMIT and years of hands-on experience in Australian luxury ateliers, Tasha Radzi-Stewart came to Arsutoria School seeking formal training in pattern making and construction techniques.
Let’s get to know her better.
Tell us about your educational and professional background.
I’m currently working as a production lead and leather cutter in a Melbourne atelier for an Australian luxury label, where all the bags are designed, produced, and sold in-house. In this role, I’ve gained hands-on experience in table work, leather cutting for production, and managing the planning and coordination of the production team.
Prior to this, I worked as a design assistant for a couple of brands, where I developed a strong understanding of commercial design and the development process for women’s wear and accessories. These roles helped build my knowledge of working with off-shore suppliers and navigating product development in a commercial context.
I also worked as a production assistant for a small leather goods brand, where I contributed to the completion of a small-batch production for a well-known Australian label.
I graduated from RMIT in 2020 with a Bachelor of Fashion Design (Honours), where I first began developing my skills in both design and hands-on making.
Why were you looking for this training? And why did you choose Arsutoria School?
I was seeking formal training in pattern making and the production process for leather goods. While I had practical experience, I wanted to deepen my technical knowledge to confidently begin designing and constructing my own bags.
I discovered Arsutoria while researching schools online and was drawn to its strong reputation for excellence in craftsmanship and technical education—it felt like the perfect fit.
What was the most interesting or surprising thing you learned during the program?
The most interesting part of the program for me was learning how to create patterns using Rhino. I already had experience with technical drawing in Adobe Illustrator, which has always been an area I enjoy for its precision and complexity. Learning Rhino took that interest further and helped me develop a deeper understanding of how a bag is brought to life—from flat, 2D shapes to a fully realized 3D product.
How important was for you to work hands-on in the sample room when making prototypes?
Extremely important. I’m a very hands-on learner, so having access to professional machinery and the opportunity to build prototypes myself was invaluable. This was the part of the process I was most eager to strengthen—understanding not only how things are made, but why certain techniques and constructions are used.
How do you feel you will advance in your professional development now that you have earned these technical skills?
This course has significantly expanded my technical knowledge in both bag construction and pattern making. It’s provided a strong foundation for me to move forward with greater confidence in my career—especially within product development and design.
I now have a broader, more holistic understanding of the full production process: from hands-on, in-house making (as I learned at Arsutoria) to off-shore manufacturing, which I encountered in my previous roles. I’m also excited to continue learning through my own making and exploration as I develop my own designs.
In one word, how would you describe your experience at Arsutoria School?
“Enriching”
Tasha Radzi-Stewart holds her prototype bags, which were made at Arsutoria School from April 23rd 2025 to August 6th 2025.
Whether you’re seeking comprehensive technical training like she received through our intensive 15-week Bag Pattern Making and Prototyping course, or looking to focus on specific construction skills through our shorter 4-week Bag Making courses (covering both casual and elegant bag styles) Arsutoria School provides the sample room, machinery, and hands-on experience needed to advance in your career.