EXCLUSIVE: CHANEL INSPIRED JACKET COUTURE SEWING RETREAT IN ARONA, ITALY
DATES:
- June 15-22, 2026 (8 days)
- JULY 6-12, 2026 (7 days!)
- September 14-21, 2026 (8 days)
Join me, 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 at Palazzo Borromeo 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 treasure – Italian printed silks. 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: €3,300 per person (One-time payment).
You can also choose to pay in 3 installments of €1130,-
ITALY SCHEDULE
DAY 1
Welcome to Arona, Italy! Day 1
09.30: Gather at the venue for a short introducion, travel to Milan for an inspiring day of fabric shopping at world-class stores including a delicious lunch in one of Milan's vibrand fashion districts.
Return to Arona at 17.30
The evening is all yours to explore.
DAY 2 - 7
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 and other intricate 2.0 techniques to personalize and elevate your jacket.
Enjoy freshly prepared lunches and snacks daily to fuel your creativity.
DAY 7*
In the evening of day 7 we will have a luxurious last evening dinner in beautiful Arona.
DAY 8*
Day 8 will be the last day of sewing/finishing your fabulous Chanel Inspired jacket. The day ends at 5pm
GOOD TO KNOW: All evenings are yours to Explore.
* Please note: The July retreat has a total of 7 days
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
or mastering other intricate couture techniques to elevate your jacket
to the next level. - A unique location: Palazzo Borromeo, next to Lago Maggiore, in Arona.
- The Lake District in Northern Italy, with Milan at its heart, is world-renowned
for its haute couture wool, tweed, and bouclé mills. Many of the most i
conic couture houses — including Chanel — source and produce their
finest wool fabrics here.
- 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 that showcases
Italy’s rich fabric heritage.
NOT INCLUDED
- Accommodation: Your stay in Arona is not included, but there are
many lovely hotels and charming B&Bs 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.
- Fabrics and materials 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.
DETAILS
Dates:
- June 15-22, 2026
- July 6-12, 2026
- September 14-21, 2026
Location: Arona, Lago Maggiore, ITALY
Required sewing level:
This retreat is intended for sewists with an intermediate level of experience.
You don’t need to be a professional, but it is important that you are already comfortable making garments. Ideally, you have sewn a few jackets for yourself and are familiar with the basic construction techniques.
You should already know how to:
- set in sleeves in a jacket
- insert a lining
- work independently on garment construction
During the retreat we will focus on couture techniques and hand sewing, rather than teaching the basics of garment making.
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 12 weeks before the retreat begins and receive 80% of your payment back (minus a small €25 admin fee).
If you cancel between 12 and 8 weeks before the trip, 50% will be refunded. From 8 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?