Otago Polytechnic fashion student Alina Cioaga is back from
a five-month exchange at the Istituto Europeo di Design in
Milan where she studied accessory and shoe design, in
Dunedin yesterday. Photo by Peter McIntosh.
Fresh from a five-month exchange in Milan, Otago
Polytechnic fashion student Alina Cioaga can't wait to put her
new skills to good use.
The 24-year-old became the first Otago student to study at
the Istituto Europeo di Design, partly because of her ability
to speak Italian, where she took classes in shoe and
accessory design.
She described the trip as "the best opportunity" and she felt
incredibly lucky to be able to experience it.
Studying at the institute was similar to the polytechnic in
content, but each class was taught separately, from technical
drawing to photo manipulation, compared with everything in
together.
Miss Cioaga's interest in shoes was sparked during a
three-week elective course last year, but learning about
accessory design had been "insightful".
"When I left, I was thinking about shoes and not about bags,
and now I'm quite interested in accessories and leather in
general," she said.
While in Milan, she was able to make a bag, belt and purse,
but no shoes.
She was, however, able to visit an industrial area in which
shoe components were made, including for designer Christian
Louboutin.
Her final collection, which will be created this year, will
be half shoes and half clothes and she hoped to source some
leather from Italy for it.
The opportunity to study in Milan may be opened to more Otago
Polytechnic students as Miss Cioaga believed classes in
English would be started.
ellie.constantine@odt.co.nz
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