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PROJECT INTRODUCTION
This project offers a handmade hat making class in Florence, Italy. In a city where art breathes life, learn from artisans who have upheld traditions for centuries and create your own fashion icon. Take your first steps as a maker!
Ancient Egyptian tomb murals depict people wearing straw hats. The hat, as a fashion item, has a rich history dating back to ancient Egypt, once a symbol of luxury and later a symbol of cowboys and gentlemen. Audrey Hepburn's wide-brimmed hat in the film Breakfast at Tiffany's became an iconic trendsetter, and various types of hats, including baseball caps, berets, fedoras, and bucket hats, continue to shape the history of fashion.
What if you could make your own hat, an unchanging icon of lifestyle, with your own hands? In the city of Florence, where artists from around the world dream of visiting, create your own hat under the guidance of skilled artisans. This is your chance to start your journey as a contemporary artisan in the heart of fashion!
Take the opportunity to master the art of hat-making. This project is a class limited to 12 participants, conducted under the guidance of a professional who is actively working in the field. You will learn everything from theory to practice, covering every aspect of hat-making.
Start your journey as a world-class artist with the careful and passionate guidance of our instructors. Just as you sew and assemble each part of your hat, you will be creating your own new path.
Florence, with its beauty in every corner and its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage city, is filled with art. As the heart of the Renaissance, it boasts numerous art pieces and architecture, and you can meet both traditional artisans and emerging artists with a modern flair.
In the artistic city of Florence, individual differences and characteristics are all respected. There is no need to worry about others' opinions; you can fully express yourself. Start your unique art journey in a city for free spirits!
Meet friends from around the world who share the same dream in Florence, Italy. Foreign friends, filled with passion and interest in art, think in different ways and can infuse their own experiences and identities into their designs.
Spending time with global friends will broaden your world and provide fresh creative inspiration from new experiences.
* This project is conducted with a limited number of participants at specific times. If you wish to apply, please do so quickly!
PROJECT ACTIVITIES
In this project, you'll have the opportunity to grow as a hat maker through a class led by experts in Florence, a city known as the home of geniuses and artists.
Participants will not only learn how to make hats using various materials, tools, and techniques, but also how to solve problems with peers, imagine new opportunities, experience fresh ideas, and think outside the box.
By the end of the course, you'll advance from being just a maker to an artist capable of making the world a better place.
The project is structured as a 12-week course. Participants will learn how to design and create various shapes and styles of hats through a curriculum filled with unique inspiration. The course combines traditional and modern trends. The project is divided into two sessions, each lasting 6 weeks. The first session covers basic theories of hat design and branding. In the second session, participants choose their preferred focus area—design, branding, or making—and receive intensive training accordingly. Classes are conducted by experienced practitioners, and some workshops may be held in groups with students from other courses.
* Mastering the Basics of Hat Making!
Participants will learn how to design and make hats using beginner-friendly materials such as wool, lightweight rabbit fur felt, straw, and basic decorations. They will also become familiar with the tools needed for hat making, including wooden blocks and hat scissors, and how to shape hats by hand. Additionally, they will practice using sweatbands, linings, and ribbons, and master both machine and hand sewing techniques.
First Steps to Becoming a Professional Maker!
Through this project, participants will be able to create and design various types of hats. They will refine their personal vision, ideas, and concepts, and learn how to blend traditional techniques with modern approaches. They will gain a clear understanding of their own abilities and talents and how to apply them to their work. Additionally, participants will develop professional skills and learn how to convey value through their creations.
Additional Information
- Classes and workshops are held Monday to Friday (5 days a week) for 6 hours 30 minutes each day. (* 9:30 to 17:30, with a lunch break from 12:30 to 14:00) The schedule generally follows the designated class times, but may be adjusted based on the instructors' availability and local conditions. Please keep this in mind when planning your schedule!
* Detailed information about the classes will be provided at the start of the project.
- The class is limited to 12 participants. There are no specific entry requirements, but the motivation and vision of the participants are the key factors in the selection process.
- Local staff may conduct interviews to assess applicants' language skills and motivations.
- This course is a selective class open to people worldwide, so please make inquiries and prepare well in advance for your application.
(Inquiries | Email koreagapyear@gmail.com, KakaoTalk @GapYear)
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English Requirement ★★☆☆☆
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SUPPORT
 Local Orientation |
 Online Orientation |
 Online Consultation |
 Certificate of Completion |
 KGY Certification |
 Pre-Departure Care |
 KGY Consultation |
 KGY Mission |
 24hr Emergency Care |
 Flight Ticket Booking Assistance |
 Real-Time Consultation Service |
 KGY Note Book |
 Project Registration and Participation Fee |
 Gap Year Mission Scholarship |
 Orientation Materials |
 Project Progress and Training |
 Class Material Fees |
 Production Equipment during Project Period |
 Insurance (*Limited coverage) |
Detailed Support
■ Care Services
- Participant Dispatch Procedures: Project registration and dispatch procedures
- Orientation Provided: Various orientation information to ensure a successful gap year experience
- OT Materials: Materials with the project planner's know-how to help first-time travelers go safely
- Gap Year Notebook: A notebook for self-reflection during the gap year (▶ Learn More)
- Gap Year Mission
■ Certificates and Recommendations
- Issuance of Local Institution Activity Certificate
- Issuance of Korea Gap Year Participation Certificate and Activity Completion Certificate
* Local institution certificates and recommendations are issued upon request of the participant after the project ends. The format and issuance status of these documents may vary depending on the local institution's procedures.
* Certificates and recommendations will be issued after the project is completed and upon submission of feedback.
Not Included
- Round-trip airfare
- Other local expenses (accommodation, meals, transportation, etc.)
- Airport/Terminal pick-up fees
- Individual travel insurance
- Additional material and tool costs required for classes
INSTITUTION INTRODUCTION
We collaborate with an educational institution established with the goal of providing professional training in hat-making. Instead of relying on centuries-old family traditions, the academy opens its doors to anyone who wants to learn the art of hat-making, nurturing the next generation of artisans.
Here, students can develop their knowledge of this unique craft and learn to work in their own style. Focusing on practical skills, they will learn to design and create various types of hats while also developing a broader understanding of materials, branding, and marketing to assist their entry into the world of craftsmanship.
Comments from a Local Representative
We bring together only the best instructors in each field to offer a training program for you, gathered from around the world. Through various programs, you will learn numerous handcraft techniques, from handmade to digital, and think with a creative and cultural approach, blending traditional and modern techniques. We are dedicated to instilling uncompromising craftsmanship in you.
Your hands are the first and most important means of designing, creating, and realizing all forms of beauty, and they will continue to be so.
ACCOMMODATION INTRODUCTION
In Florence, where the project takes place, there are various accommodation options such as guesthouses, apartment rentals, and hotels. Participants can freely choose accommodation in the project area according to their preferences and budget.
■ Homestay
This accommodation option allows you to stay with a local family, interacting directly with the host and other guests. You can stay at a local host's home or at a place operated by a Korean host living locally. Depending on the accommodation, various services such as meals may be provided, allowing you to choose a place that suits your preferences. Typically, you will share the house with the host or other guests staying at the accommodation.
■ Guesthouse
A guesthouse is a type of accommodation where the kitchen, bathroom, and shower are shared, and you are usually assigned to a shared room with 2 to 8 people. Staying at a guesthouse allows you to meet various travelers, share stories, and exchange travel information during your short stay.
■ Apartment Rental
Apartment rentals are preferred by those who want more personal space or wish to live with companions. You will stay directly in a local apartment, allowing you to experience living in the destination. In an independent space, you will manage your own meals, cleaning, and laundry. Alternatively, you may stay in a shared house with 5-6 people, where you can choose a private room or live with a roommate, depending on the condition of the house.
LOCATION INTRODUCTION
ㅣ Location : Italy, Florence
Florence is a city where you can enjoy the majestic cathedral, the towering decorative bell tower, museums and galleries displaying famous artworks you’ve only seen in photos, delightful gardens, and beautiful skyline views from hilltop plazas. Let’s not forget the world-renowned Italian cuisine and the distinctive flavors of local gelato at every store! There’s so much to enjoy in Florence that it’s hard to list everything.
With a size approximately 1/6 of Seoul, the entire city is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every street and alley is filled with captivating elements. Walking through Florence's streets might make you feel like you’re inside a meticulously crafted work of art. Additionally, as tourists from around the world visit to enjoy Florence’s beauty, it becomes a hub of cultural exchange.
Decorate one of the most beautiful chapters of your life in Florence, the cradle of the never-ending Renaissance.
ㅣ Recommended Travel Destinations
01 Duomo Cathedral
The Duomo Cathedral, located in the heart of Florence, is formally known as the Florence Cathedral or the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Duomo means "cathedral" in Italian. The massive dome built with red bricks and the towering bell tower are practically symbols of Florence. Many tourists stand in long lines to climb up the dome. With 463 steps to ascend, you’ll need to prepare yourself mentally, but the view of Florence from the top is an unforgettable spectacle, making it worth the challenge.
02 Michelangelo Hill
What comes to mind when you think of Michelangelo? As a painter, sculptor, architect, and poet, Michelangelo left behind remarkable works. Famous pieces like the Pietà and the Sistine Chapel ceiling can be found. Michelangelo Hill offers a panoramic view of Florence, and there you can see a bronze replica of Michelangelo’s famous David. The original marble version is displayed in the "Academy Gallery" about 30 minutes from Michelangelo Hill, so why not visit both?
03 Leather Market
If you’re in the birthplace of "Made in Italy," a visit to the leather market is a must. You can find a variety of products, from wallets and handbags to jackets made of high-quality leather at affordable prices. Even if you’re not planning to buy leather products, visiting the market, where the city’s residents live and breathe, will give you a deeper connection to Florence.
SCHEDULE AND PRICES
■ This project starts twice a year, in February and September.
■ The minimum participation period for this project is 12 weeks.
■ The costs below include the project fee, materials for education, insurance (limited to project activities), etc.
- 12 weeks: 7,800 Euros + Registration Fee: 500,000 KRW
■ Eligibility and Requirements
- Individuals with intermediate to advanced English skills.
- Adults aged 18 and older.
- People who dream of becoming artists.
- Those who want to start an artist's life in a city of art.
- Those who want to engage in cultural exchange with friends from around the world.
■ Gap Year Mission Scholarship (▶ Learn more)
■ Installment Payment Information
If full payment is difficult, you can pre-pay the 500,000 KRW registration fee and pay the remaining balance within 2 weeks. The project confirmation process will start from the date the registration fee is paid, during which your participation availability and TO will be checked. To ensure participation on your desired date and period, securing your spot early is important! (Refund is not available upon confirmation)
*However, if the start date is imminent, the remaining payment schedule may vary depending on the situation.
■ Early Bird Discounts and Emergency Applications
All Gap Year projects recommend applying at least 3 months before the start date to ensure smooth processing and preparation, and it is advised to apply no later than 2 months in advance. However, in cases of unavoidable circumstances or urgent participation, an emergency application service is available for an additional fee to expedite the processing.
* While we do our best to expedite the process, there is still a necessary time required for communication with the local institution and confirmation of participation. Therefore, participants using the emergency application service must actively cooperate with the Korea Gap Year team.
** Those who apply 180 days before the start date can receive an early bird discount.
*** Emergency application service is available in the options above, and for inquiries related to the emergency application service, please contact koreagapyear@gmail.com.
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- Provided: Automatic registration for Gap Year Mission and Note / OT materials provided immediately upon confirmation / Additional staff for urgent needs / Support for document preparation if needed, etc.
* For those having difficulty calculating dates, please refer to the Naver date calculator >> Naver Date Calculator
**Note: In the case of an emergency application, TO may not be available depending on the local situation, and the refund process will follow the Gap Year refund policy. The participant is responsible for any issues arising from non-cooperation.
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