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The Couture Design Academy

Introducing the Couture Design Academy! We are so excited to announce our partnership with Angela Kim Couture to bring a whole new set of classes focused on couture garments embellished with Tambour embroidery elements. For the first time in Asheville, NC the Couture Design academy is now accepting students to learn the closely kept secrets of couture design.

In this 3-day beginner class, students will learn the basics of couture construction, along with couture embroidery techniques.  

 This class is perfect for anyone from beginners who have no experience yet a sincere desire to learn, to the more experienced individual who wants to add a new technique to their skill set. Those who may be interested in this class come from a diverse background and include dressmakers, students, hobbyists, bridal designers, garment restoration specialists,  and artistic costume designers. Students work at their own pace, with Sarah and Angela's full encouragement and support at every step. With lunch and drinks provided, this class is not only informative but can also be a great girlfriend getaway trip!

All 2020 Classes have been canceled due to COVID-19

The course is divided into two sections, construction of a couture garment, and couture embroidery. Students will divide their time equally to produce a finished product. Each student will leave the class with a finished garment.

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Sarah is a dual Canadian and U.K. citizen who resided full time in France for 5 years, where she completed her rigorous apprenticeship that culminated in the distinctive certificate of Professional Haute Couture Embroidery and Beadwork at the prestigious Maison Lesage (an Atelier owned by the exclusive House of Chanel’s Métiers d’art). Sarah chose to pursue an extensive amount of professional education in her field which began at Ontario’s renowned Sheridan College where she sought to understand all aspects of the textile arts. Sarah is one of a rare few in the U.S. who learned from directly from the fashion masters of Paris to become certified in the guarded art of Haute Couture. Her teaching style is sincerely warm and gracefully patient, as she endeavors to guide her students to full proficiency in a fun and relaxed environment.

 

Sarah uses this class to teach this distinct embroidery technique that is utilized in creating some truly magnificent beaded and embroidered fabrics. Since Couture embroidery is ubiquitously adorned in the trend-setting releases of designers such as Chanel and Dior, and usually only viewed to the delight of fashion enthusiasts worldwide at great distances; Sarah would love to see this artform expanded further into the U.S. in order to share her love for this age-old European craft. To this end, she has labored to translate this passion into a fully comprehensive format which she has previously only taught overseas. Sarah is confident based on years of experience in her ability to teach her students how to create their own stunning, couture wearable fabrics, inspired by the unique beauty each student has in their hearts which she believes exists in each and every individual. Become one of the few to take her classes in select U.S. cities across the region, and become a member of our exclusive new community…

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A South Korean-born New Zealander, Angela completed her Master's course in fashion design in Seoul at the prestigious Ewha Women’s University before working as a womenswear designer and merchandiser in the fast-paced markets of New Zealand and Korean fashion.   After working internationally in fashion for over 15 years, Angela relocated to the mountains of Western North Carolina in 2011.

 

The invaluable experience she gained from working internationally and her unique perspective on fashion trends motivated her to launch her own ready-to-wear brand (Angela Kim Designs) in 2015.  In 2016 she was honored to be selected as a finalist for the 2016 Belk Southern Designer Showcase.

 

To further her interest and expertise in couture dressmaking, she launched Angela Kim Couture in 2017 and now specializes exclusively in couture custom wedding and special occasion dress design.  She enjoys the fact that the couture design process demands her full skill set as a designer and allows her to focus on each client on a more personal level — incorporating their inspirations, style and story into their one-of-a-kind dream dresses.

 

As her success has grown, Angela has started to share her knowledge and expertise by mentoring university student interns.  These experiences have inspired her to develop her own teaching curriculum, which form the basis for her workshops with the Couture Design Academy.

 

Angela teaches design concepts, design application, fashion illustration, digital presentation for fashion, pattern making, draping, garment constructions, couture sewing techniques and the business of fashion.

 

Class Details

The all-inclusive price of this class is JUST $995. This includes 21 hours of professional instruction and ALL supplies including fabric, threads, beads, and Swarovski crystals. This class rate also includes the Lunéville (Tambour) hook. This is over $150 worth of supplies ALL included in the price of your class! 

 

The classes consist of 3 days of instruction – 7 hours per day (for a total of 21 recommended hours). Classes are held each day from 10am – 5pm and include a 30-minute lunch break. A catered lunch from a local restaurant is also included in the price of the class. Vegan and gluten-free options will be available. Cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks will also be provided. Classes are held in the beautiful "Engaged Asheville" event space in Asheville, NC.  This elegantly designed studio is furnished with plush modern furniture and tall ceilings adorned with locally-crafted lighting. It is a perfect space to learn the technique of couture design!

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Engaged Asheville Event Studio

A non-refundable deposit of $200 is required at the time of booking the class. Classes become FULL fast, and we like to keep class sizes small and intimate to provide for an effective teaching environment. 

Please feel free to email us with any questions regarding these classes. If you are part of a guild, bead society, or sewing group and would like to arrange a group class, please email us any inquiries. 

 

Don’t miss this limited-time opportunity to learn this highly guarded and respected techniques, rarely taught outside of the ateliers of Paris!

All 2020 Classes have been canceled due to COVID-19

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