EXCLUSIVE 8 DAY COUTURE SEWING RETREAT, ITALY
DATES:
- August 19-26, 2025
- June 15-22, 2026
- September 14-21, 2026
Join Maaike Andriessen for an exclusive 8-day couture sewing retreat in Italy, where you'll craft your own Chanel-inspired jacket.
The retreat takes place in the charming town of Arona on the shores
of Lago Maggiore with many hotels and b&b’s.
The Italian Lake District, where this retreat takes place, is famous for its Chanel bouclé mills and factories, which produce some of the most exquisite tweeds in the world.
Also, on day 1 of this retreat, we will pay a visit to Milan the fashion capitol of Italy, to visit its beautiful fabric stores and inspiring fashion exhibitions.
Your couture jacket will be crafted with these high-quality materials, sourced from the same region that inspires luxury fashion houses.
The retreat also highlights another Italian treasure – silk. Known globally for its superior quality, the Italian silk used for your jacket lining brings an added layer of elegance and authenticity to your creation.
PRICE: €3,200 per person (all-inclusive: course, silk organza and horsehair,
meals, transportation within Italy, and excursions).You can also choose to pay in 3 installments.
ITALY SCHEDULE
DAY 1
Welcome to Italy! Day 1
Gather at the venue for a short introducion, travel to Milan for an inspiring day of fabric shopping at world-class stores and a visit to a haute couture exhibition including a delicious lunch.
Dive into Italy’s vibrant fashion culture before returning to Arona
The evening is all yours to explore.
DAY 2 - 8
Welcome to Day 2-8 | Immerse yourself in couture
Option 1: Sew your own couture jacket under expert guidance, with Plenty of time to refine your techniques.
Option 2: Focus on advanced couture skills, including hand-stitched
buttonholes, creating fabric flowers like the iconic Chanel camellia, and other intricate 2.0 techniques to personalize and elevate your jacket.
Enjoy freshly prepared lunches and snacks daily to fuel your creativity.
DAY 4
On day 4 we will have a half day sewing and a half day break for a relaxing excursion (optional)– either a
delightful wine tasting visit to Angera castle or a 4 hour scenic boat trip – to soak in the beauty of the Italian Lake District.
DAY 7
In the evening of day 7 we will have a luxurious farewell dinner in beautiful Angera or Arona.
DAY 8
Day 8 will be the last day of sewing/finishing your fabulous Chanel Inspired jacket.
GOOD TO KNOW: All evenings are yours to Explore.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
- Tailored learning experience: Choose to focus on sewing your own
couture jacket or explore advanced couture techniques such as
creating perfect couture buttonholes, crafting a fabric camelia flower,
or mastering other intricate couturetechniques to elevate your jacket
to the next level. - A unique location: Stay in The Italian Lake District, where this retreat takes place, famous for its Chanel bouclé mills and factories.
Surrounded by natural beauty and creative inspiration.
Culinary indulgence: Enjoy delicious daily lunches and snacks, topped
off with a celebratory farewell dinner to end the week in style. - A cultural day in Milan: Explore the finest fabric stores and visit a haute
couture exhibition that showcases Italy’s rich fashion heritage. - Optional activities: Relax with a wine tasting evening, visit to Angera
castle or a serene boat trip, balancing work and leisure. - Stress-free travel: All transportation within Italy is included, so you can
fully immerse yourself in the experience.
NOT INCLUDED
- Accommodation: Your stay in Arona or Angera is not included, but there are
many lovely hotels and charming BnBs to choose from in both towns for every
budget. - Airfare: Flights to and from Arona are not included.
- Travel insurance: Participants are responsible for their own travel insurance.
- Silk satin, trims, buttons and tweed/bouclé for your Chanel Inspired jacket. You can bring your own fabric or buy the fabric in one of the amazing fabric stores on our first day visit in Milan.
If you need recommendations for accommodations, please feel free to contact me
– I’d be happy to help you find the perfect place for your stay!
DETAILS
Dates:
- August 19-26, 2025
- June 15-22, 2026
- September 14-21, 2026
Location: Arona, Lago Maggiore
Price: €3,200 per person (all-inclusive: course, silk organza and horsehair,
meals, transportation within Italy, and excursions). You can also choose to pay in 3 installments.
CANCELLATION POLICY
You’re free to cancel your registration within 14 days of booking for a full refund.
After that, you can still cancel up to 8 weeks before the retreat begins and receive 80% of your payment back (minus a small €25 admin fee).
If you cancel between 8 and 4 weeks before the trip, 50% will be refunded. From 4 weeks before the retreat, unfortunately, no refund is possible.
ABOUT MAAIKE ANDRIESSEN
Discover the Art of Couture with Maaike at The Dressmakers Academy.
With over 25 years of experience as a couture dressmaker, working alongside renowned designers, in the theater with prima ballerina Igoné de Jongh and the United Ukrainian Ballet, Maaike brings a wealth of expertise and passion to The Dressmakers Academy, which she founded in 2019.
Maaike is dedicated to teaching what she loves most.
The French Jacket Retreat, a dream she once wished she could have attended during her student years, is now a reality she offers to others.
Similarly, after traveling through Japan and being captivated by its exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail, she created the Kimono Sewing Retreat in Japan so her students could share in this extraordinary experience.
Maaike's philosophy is simple: if she loves it, she brings it to her students, ensuring they receive the finest education in couture and craftsmanship.
Are you ready to join her?