Mark Schwartz shoe design workshops in Italy
The High Heeled Art Footwear Design School by Mark Schwartz and Nicky Avanzini offers hands-on approach to learning shoe design workshops in January and February 2017. In Parabiago, Italy, the region for today’s top shoe designers. 
Hands-on approach to learning shoe design
The shoe industry today is an ever-changing business that must be followed closely when it comes to trends. But, there must be a basic core to good and classic shoe design that runs through every trend and ever-changing season, be it fall/winter or spring/summer. Knowledge of basic design skills is very important and is the spark that can ignite you into the world of shoe design. This 6-day course covers sketching and conceptualizing, pattern-making, and sample-making your design. We visit the leather houses that supply the world’s top designers, heel factories, and shoe accessory suppliers (buckles, etc.). Classes are limited to 3-5 students, so that the atmosphere remains intimate and hands-on.
The High Heeled Art Footwear Design School by Mark Schwartz and Nicky Avanzini
Mark Schwartz is an accomplished footwear designer with more than 30 years experience designing shoes for Roger Vivier, Barney’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Cleo Bottier, and Neiman Marcus. Mr. Schwartz has collaborated on design projects in the past with Balenciaga, Chanel, Gucci, and Jean Claude Jitrois. He has made shoes for Oprah Winfrey, Madonna, Julia Roberts, Sharon Stone, Natasha Richardson, Tina Turner, and Lady Gaga, to name a few.
Nicky Avanzini is our school coordinator. Mr. Avanzini is the owner of Nik Service, a well-known private car service in the Milan area. Mr. Avanzini also takes care of all hotel reservations. He is our school translator, speaks English, Italian, Spanish and French. Nicky has also been the assistant to Mark Schwartz for five years, so he plays a key role in the school’s activities. He is our go-to man! Joining us as a special guest will be an accomplished technical designer and patternmaker whose family also owns a shoe factory in Parabiago. We will be working in his studio throughout most of the class.
Workshop details
You will be picked up at Milan Malpensa Airport by Mr. Avanzini. Arrivals are normally the day before class starts, where it’s recommended that students spend the rest of the day in their hotel resting up due to the 6-hour time difference. There will be group launches and dinners, which you have the option to attend (all hotel, meal, and airfare are separate costs from the class fee). We get a very reasonable hotel fee of around $110 per day. Final hotel rates will be announced before end of November with the hotel info. The hotel is located about five minutes from the school.
Parabiago
Parabiago, Italy is the region for today’s top shoe designers. The city and its factories have led the way in better shoes and design for hundreds of years. This course can be repeated and we also do private lessons with one or two students in between the week-long breaks. If that is something you would be interested in, please contact Mark Schwartz for further information.
Class hours
10 am to 7 pm, with a lunch break from 12:30 pm to 2 pm.
Dates 2017
First Class: Arrival Jan 8
, classes from Jan 9 – 14.
Second Class: Arrival Jan 29
, classes Jan 30 – Feb 4.
Third Class: Arrival Feb 19
, classes Feb 20 – 25.
The workshop dates for March, April and May will be released after the new year.
Workshop costs
Total price for the class is $2250.00 per student for 6 days of classes, Monday through Saturday.
$500.00 refundable deposit is available. We require at east 2 weeks or more notice to any cancellation. The $1750.00 balance is due 30 days before class starts.
More info at highheeledart.com.
More shoes by Mark Schwartz at the Virtual Shoe Museum.
