TuttoToscana at HSFI!
By Kimberlee Preish
Photo courtesy of FUA
Upon arriving in New York City, the TuttoTosacana team will be tackling four separate events, starting with one at HSFI: the High School of Fashion Industries. HSFI is a specialized high school located in New York city that focuses on “challenging, creative, and effective career and technical academic training.” The school introduces students to the world of fashion in both design and production. The specialized fashion track is also a feature of FUA, which offers programs for high school and college graduates, as well a continuing ed students or professionals seeking to change careers. FAST Fashion and Accessories Studies and Technology is the FUA academic division that offers the programs. FUA has a wide offering of studies for its students, including fashion, design, wine studies, food and hospitality, and we’re excited to align especially the passion for fashion through this special event involving HSFI and FAST.
Because Florence is “a city of many appetites,” and the birthplace of major players in the fashion industry (think Cavalli, Gucci, Ferragamo, Pucci), our team is not only presenting a Tuscan buffet but also a leather workshop. While our TuttoToscana management team is organizing the food and event breakdown at HSFI, FAST has prepared a video about leather work for the high school’s students. This design workshop was organized by Chiara Spagli Ganugi and put together by Silvia Mancina (FUA staff members). FUA professor, Francesa Mocali, demonstrates the simulation of constructing something out of genuine Italian leather. She performs how to plan, cut the leather, glue, and sew all the pieces together. At the end of this video, the HSFI students will use traditional leather sewing techniques taught in the clip to construct an item to take home. After their workshop, the TuttoToscana team will prepare a buffet that represents Tuscan culture, and will finish with three “fashionable” desserts imitating different textures and aspects of fashion design.