Master the technical foundations of footwear and handbag design in this intensive, high-engagement residency.

  • Structure: 2-Week Mandatory Foundation + Optional 3rd Week Portfolio Intensive

  • The Hero Piece: Week 3 is dedicated to creating a “Hero-Piece” to anchor your college or professional portfolio.

  • Elite Mentorship: Strictly limited to 15 students with a 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio for accelerated, personalized mastery.

SCHEDULE & INVESTMENT

  • Weeks 1 & 2: Mandatory Foundations

    • Dates: July 13 – July 24, 2026

    • Tuition: $3,990

  • Week 3: Optional Portfolio Intensive

    • Dates: July 27 – July 31, 2026

    • Tuition: $2,995

  • Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM

  • Location: Montclair, NJ (18.5 miles from NYC)

Admission is by interview only. Successful completion of the 2-Week Mandatory Foundation is required to attend the Week 3 Portfolio Intensive.

Montclair

Design Residency | Foundations | Portfolio

Boutique Technical Mentorship For students seeking hyper-focused instruction in handbag building and shoe design, or those unable to attend the full residency, I offer private and semi-private classes in Springfield, NJ. These sessions are limited to no more than three students with aligned interests. To keep costs accessible while maintaining high-level instruction, the Semi-Private arrangement is the recommended path.

AVAILABILITY & INVESTMENT:

  • June 22 – July 2, 2026

  • The Month of August

Format: 3-hour sessions; total hours are determined by project complexity

Scheduling: Based on mutually agreed-upon times

Private Study (1:1): $150/hr

Semi-Private (2–3 students): $115/hr per student

Parents or students should contact me in advance to discuss project goals and technical requirements.

Springfield

Boutique Technical Mentorship

Studio Culture

The Hero Project: Engineering your Portfolio Standout

The “Hero Project” is the centerpiece of this extension week – a singular, high caliber handbag or shoe design intended to serve as the standout piece in a professional or college admissions portfolio. While we do not develop a final design portfolio in this class, we focus intensely on creating one exceptional product that demonstrates a mastery of craft, significantly enhancing a student’s chance of successful admission or employment.

The process begins with visual inspiration and thumbnail sketches to distill a final vision. Once the design is selected, students tape the last to create a 3D canvas, drawing their unique lines directly on the form. This 3D “skin” is then flattened on paper to create the Mean Forme, the master template used to develop a full set of industrial patterns.

In this advanced stage, students are given material autonomy. Unlike the foundations class, you are encouraged to source and select your own leather and hardware for a totally original project. With instructor guidance, we address sustainability and material ethics, emphasizing that choosing the correct leather is of utmost importance; the weight, temper and quality of the material are what ultimately define the professional character of the final piece.

To ensure technical excellence, students integrate precise allowances for lasting and folding. A prototype shell is then constructed and “pulled over” the last to verify fit and aesthetic balance. This critical testing phase allows for final adjustment, ensuring the “Hero Project” is perfected before you move into the final construction with your chosen premium materials.