Shoe 1-year Diploma Alumnus told us about his internship La Sportiva within the R&D department
Giacomo Dalla Maria June 2023 Shoe 1-year Diploma Alumnus came back to school and told us about his internship La Sportiva within the R&D department. Giacomo feels that the most important skills he learned during his year with us are technical ones along with prototyping and 3D Design ones. Giacomo has now been hired as […]
Giacomo Dalla Maria June 2023 Shoe 1-year Diploma Alumnus came back to school and told us about his internship La Sportiva within the R&D department.
Giacomo feels that the most important skills he learned during his year with us are technical ones along with prototyping and 3D Design ones. Giacomo has now been hired as Footwear Developer Assistant so will continue his experience at La Sportiva, we are proud of him and know this is the first ladder of a promising career.
Thanks to Fondazione Cologni Giacomo had the opportunity to be part of the Apprenticeship program “Una Scuola, un lavoro”.
Shoe 1-Year Alumnus Anand Zorigt: Pioneering the First Mongolian Sneaker Brand
On March 1st, during the final presentation of the Shoe 1-Year Diploma Program, Anand Zorigt from Mongolia shared his ambitious future plans. Anand, who has been developing a project to launch the FIRST Mongolian sneaker brand manufactured in Mongolia, captured our attention with his vision and determination. We interviewed Anand to learn more about his […]
On March 1st, during the final presentation of the Shoe 1-Year Diploma Program, Anand Zorigt from Mongolia shared his ambitious future plans. Anand, who has been developing a project to launch the FIRST Mongolian sneaker brand manufactured in Mongolia, captured our attention with his vision and determination.
We interviewed Anand to learn more about his history and his future projects.
From Business studies to the footwear world, why did you take the Shoe 1-Year Diploma Program?
I studied finance at the University of British Columbia for 5 years and spent another 2 years working at a private equity firm. Although the experience and the skills I learned in finance was immeasurable, I did not feel corporate environment was a place I would like to stay for the rest of my life. And since the beginning, my end goal was always to have my own company and become an entrepreneur. So, I quit my job and started to look for business ideas to pursue. For while I stayed unemployed, searching for ideas, and one day my father offered me a job at his factory. I immediately took the first offer since I needed money at the time and was able to help my parents as much as I can while I search for ideas to start a business. But once I started my job at the factory, everything changed, I was instantly hooked. As a tech savvy person, the technology, the process that goes into manufacturing shoes was something I would never get tired of. Every day I came to the factory to learn something new about shoe machineries and throughout my study I found about Lineapelle and Simac. After that it was all a beautiful coincidence. I went to Milan to attend Lineapelle for the first time and to search for a place where I can learn how to make shoes from scratch. I found Arsutorias stand and when I talked for 5 minutes, I immediately knew it was exactly what I was looking for. That is why I choose to attend the 1-year shoe program.
What is the name of your company and where is it located.
The company I work for is called “Khos Az”. It is located in Ulaanbaatar; the capital city of Mongolia and our company have been operating there for over 20 years.
Can you give us a brief recap of your company’s history and what does the factory manufacture?
The company is founded by my father back in 1996. But back then it was operating under a different name, “Sinuous” until in 2005 it was changed to its current name Khos Az. It is a factory specialized in manufacturing military and safety shoes. For more than 20 years we have been the constant supplier for the Mongolian military and the mining companies. In 2012, we opened a new section in our factory to make kids shoes to test if there is demand for casual customers. It was quite a successful launch and we realized that there was a market for casual footwear in Mongolia. That is why we are now planning to expand our manufacturing to performance sneakers.
How was your experience on the Shoe 1-Year Diploma?
In one word, the whole experience was “amazing”. What I really liked about this one-year program was that it enabled me to understand shoe making process from both pattern makers and designers’ point of view. As a businessman who was trying to get into shoe production it was essential for me to learn to see shoes from these perspectives. I can now say with confidence that I have become much better at communicating my thoughts and opinions with my own designers and engineers than ever before. But learning technical side of the shoe was not the only thing I gained during my one-year program. Friends, colleagues, teachers everyone I met in Arsutoria have taught me many valuable lessons about the shoes industry and the life that comes with it as well. The connections I made in Arsutoria for me is even more important than the numbers I memorized in school. It cannot be replaced. I would recommend this program to anyone who is looking for a fundamental knowledge about shoes for any kind of purpose.
How did the school support your skills development?
Before I came to Arsutoria, I did not have any prior firsthand experience on building a shoe. So basically, each day at Arsutoria I was developing a new skill. Every day after the theoretical lesson follows a practical test to confirm what we have learned throughout the day. This approach made it easier to understand the shoe making process as we were doing all the tasks firsthand. We learned how to stich, use the stitching machines, and all the machineries necessary to build a shoe. But it did not stop with only the machineries, we also learned how to use computer programs that can design and build shoes in 3D. If I list all the micro detail of what we have learned throughout the year, it’s not going to end. This one-year program taught me skills that helped me to become a better shoemaker and better a businessman.
Tell us a bit more about your launch sneaker project, is it true that your company will be the first one in manufacturing sneakers?
It would be a lie if I say there haven’t been any sneakers made in Mongolia in the past. Cashmere companies and local clothing brands have made sneakers, but the main difference is that they are companies focused on different things and sneakers is just a small part of it. Our company is the first and only sneaker focused company in Mongolia.
Are there more long-term projects that you would like to tell us about?
So far, the sneakers project has been the biggest project I have ever worked on. I believe the next few years of my life will mainly revolve around this project. In the future, we are planning to sell our products in different Asian and North American cities. So, expanding our market to foreign countries might be our next big project after this one.
Negin Taghavi: Shoe One Year Diploma
Our alumna Negin Taghavi Jouracci originally from Iran, studied Architecture in London and worked in the field for years until she decided to follow her passion at Arsutoria School gaining the Shoe 1-Year diploma in June 2023. In this video interview she tells quickly about the journey that brought her here in Milan. Most recently […]
Our alumna Negin Taghavi Jouracci originally from Iran, studied Architecture in London and worked in the field for years until she decided to follow her passion at Arsutoria School gaining the Shoe 1-Year diploma in June 2023. In this video interview she tells quickly about the journey that brought her here in Milan.
Most recently she won the Global Footwear Award 2023 in 2 categories of “high heels” and “artistic design”.
The “RESILIENT STRIDE” shoe collection celebrates the unwavering spirit and determination of women who have fearlessly protested for their rights, drawing inspiration from the recent women’s rights movement in Iran with the WOMEN.LIFE.FREEDOM slogan. This collection embodies the essence of women empowerment and embraces the power of femininity.
Design Elements:
Bold Silhouettes: The shoes in this collection feature bold and strong silhouettes, representing the courage and resilience of women who stood up for their rights. The design has sleek and structured designs that exude confidence.
Vibrant Colors: I have Incorporate vibrant and striking colors like silver and Azure blue to symbolize the energy and passion of the movement and to make a bold statement.
Symbolic Details: Integrated subtle yet powerful symbolic details in the design such as spikey tip and back 3d printed pieces, represent the warrior side of the women involved in the protests.
Statement Accents: metallic finish reflects the determination and strength of the women who marched for their rights.
Functionality: Cushioned insock liner, supportive arches, and durable materials to ensure that the shoes not only make a statement but also provide comfort for hours.
Congratulations Negin for this amazing success, we are looking forward to see more!
Fabricio DaCosta: Shoe One Year Diploma
Meet Out Talents: Fabricio DaCosta, a seasoned designer, fuses diverse cultural influences into his work, shaping an eco-friendly and socially just future for fashion. With roots in Rio de Janeiro and a global expansion, his designs exemplify a commitment to a greener industry. Immersed in Milan's design culture twice over two decades, Fabricio's profound appreciation for Italian craftsmanship influences his creative spirit, fostering a passion for aesthetics, precision, and innovation.
Students are the real treasure of Arsutoria School. Bound to the school by a sense of belonging and sharing, they are the spokesmen of its values in the whole world. This is how “Meet Our Talents” was born, from the desire to give visibility to our most talented students.
We would like to introduce Fabricio DaCosta, a student of the 2023 Shoe One-Year Diploma Program. Fabricio DaCosta, has worked in product and fashion design blending diverse cultural influences into his creative style. He started in Rio de Janeiro, expanded through Europe, America, Asia and Africa, and now, he’s committed to a future where fashion embraces eco-friendliness and social justice. His designs prove this mission: shaping a greener, more ethical path for the industry.
Fabricio’s connection to Italian design tradition has played a pivotal role in his journey. Having immersed himself in Milan’s design culture not once but twice in the past two decades, he acquired a profound appreciation for the country’s craftsmanship. Milan’s design legacy influenced his creative spirit and instilled a passion for aesthetics, precision, and innovation. This Italian education has been a cornerstone of his design philosophy, infusing his work with a timeless elegance and a commitment to quality that remains unwavering.
Fabricio DaCosta is a Senior designer with international experience creating brand power and lifestyle value through products and services for major clients (www.dacostatoday.com)
His story belongs those who have embarked on the journey of in-depth learning in footwear production. To successfully establish a shoe brand, it is essential not only to excel in marketing and storytelling but also to comprehend the fundamentals of the product. A comprehensive educational program, such as the Shoe One-Year Diploma in Milan, Italy, proves crucial for acquiring the practical and theoretical knowledge necessary to successfully navigate every stage, from design to production.
Individuals undertaking this educational journey not only gain a solid understanding of materials and processes but also become capable of innovating creatively. After a year of intensive study, it can be confidently stated that investing in comprehensive training is the key to being well-prepared and excelling in the footwear industry. With the right foundation, the dream of creating a brand of sustainable and comfortable shoes becomes not only possible but achievable.
Good luck, Fabricio DaCosta!
Giulia Iannaccone, accessories designer
The students are the real treasure of Arsutoria School. Bound to the school by a sense of belonging and sharing, they are the spokesmen of its values in the whole world. This is how Meet Our Talents was born, from the desire to give visibility to our most talented students and former students through a […]
The students are the real treasure of Arsutoria School. Bound to the school by a sense of belonging and sharing, they are the spokesmen of its values in the whole world.
This is how Meet Our Talents was born, from the desire to give visibility to our most talented students and former students through a space that tells their study paths.
The first story we would like to tell you in this section is that of Giulia Iannaccone, a very young girl with clear ideas who is determined to make her dream come true: to become an accessories designer.
Giulia’s path at Arsutoria School
Born in 1996, Giulia has always had a strong passion for the world of fashion and accessories. After a three-year degree in Fashion Design at Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti in Milan, she decided to specialise in leather accessories, obtaining a One-Year Accessories Diploma from Arsutoria School.
Despite her family’s initial scepticism, Giulia enrolled in the course in September 2019 and for a whole year pursued her path with determination and enthusiasm, moving easily from the pencil, through which she shapes her creations, to a modeller’s bench, where she meticulously carves out every single detail of her prototype and follows the entire development process in the school’s lab.
Her aim is to learn, literally by getting her hands dirty. She wants to understand how shoes and bags are designed, how the different components are assembled and sewn together and to discover everything that is hidden behind this fascinating world of Made in Italy.
With curiosity and a lot of motivation she follows all the modules of the course, alternating lessons in our labs with remote lessons. She delves into all aspects of shoe design, as well as leather goods: from the design, to the model, through to the creation of the prototype.
And it is because of her enthusiasm and dedication that Giulia was selected by the school to take part in MICAM Milano’s international In My Shoes contest. Together with her classmate, Giulia presented the Orango Sneaker project to the jury as a symbol of a very important environmental message.
Thanks to this project, she won the second prize, giving her the chance to see her most innovative prototype made.
Profession: accessories designer
Although Giulia’s intensive training course has only just ended, she has already started working with companies and her story has been selected by Regione Lombardia for the campaign “La moda raccontata dai suoi professionisti” (“Fashion told by its professionals”), created to inspire young boys and girls to embark on this stimulating career in the world of footwear and leather goods.
At the end of her training, Giulia wanted to thank the school and the teachers and did so in a long post on her Instagram profile, which we would like to share with you.
“This picture is not perfect, it is a post that will interest few and perhaps bore many, but for me it is perhaps the most important. For the last few years I have been working and studying. But today I am taking off my pupil’s robes completely. This does not mean that I will stop learning, because as in any profession you never finish, but for me it is the end of a cycle that has lasted for many years. This photo fully represents my stubbornness in pursuing a dream that only I believed in a year and a half ago. Then I met you, we worked hard but you also taught me a lot just like the best masters do and that I was lucky enough to meet. Every day I went from shoes to bags, from industrial machines to 3D software, from pencil and ruler to dies and hammer with a speed and versatility that I didn’t even imagine I could have. Most of all, I have spent so much time with you and within these walls that, although I know that my work with you does not end here because we have projects together, I leave this role as a pupil with so much love and melancholy. When I think of myself a year and a half ago, I was a different person, you gave me the tools, the confidence and you believed in me as perhaps no one has ever done before. You gave me projects that were bigger than me, but with your hand on my shoulder I was able to successfully complete them. When you hear people say to you: “you are a war machine” or “don’t you ever get tired?” and I didn’t feel tired at all, you understand that you have found your way. The most important thing is that you have given me direction and great confidence in myself. I will be forever grateful for all of this. @arsutoriaschool”.
We thank her for these beautiful words and we wish her the best of luck for her future. Ad maiora!