New Footwear Training Program Launched by IFM and HModa Academia

Collaboration Between IFM and Accademia HModa

The Institut Français de la Mode (IFM) has partnered with Accademia HModa in Italy to introduce an innovative educational initiative. This project is designed to provide students specializing in Leather Goods, Fashion Accessories, and Footwear within their Master of Arts in Fashion Design at IFM with valuable insights from Accademia HModa, which excels in luxury footwear manufacturing.

Located in Italy’s Marche region, Accademia HModa is a mission-focused institution established by HModa. This industrial group is known for its production of premium fashion items. Notably, Gilles Lasbordes recently took over leadership at HModa France, aiming to establish a luxury industrial hub in Aubervilliers.

Significance of the Project Title

The title of the initiative, “Taking the First Step” (or “Fare il primo passo” in Italian), cleverly references both the action of walking and the Marche region’s reputation as a hub for high-end footwear manufacturing, encompassing design, prototyping, and production.

Timeline of the Project

The collaboration began in January 2025 when IFM students traveled to the Ente Formativo Calzaturiero delle Marche (EFC) center to work alongside their Italian peers. With the guidance of EFC trainers and Valmor, a subsidiary of HModa, the students crafted initial prototypes.

By March 2025, these preliminary designs were showcased to a jury at IFM. The student teams continued to refine their work and presented their final prototypes in July 2025.

Empowering the Next Generation of Footwear Designers

According to Leyla Neri, the director of the Master of Arts in Fashion Design at IFM, this collaboration has empowered students from diverse backgrounds to fully express their artistic vision. “They trained in techniques specific to their chosen field, which will significantly influence their future careers,” she noted.

Valentina Vaccarini, director of Accademia HModa, remarked on how the initiative not only enhances the educational curriculum but also enriches the students’ understanding of the global creative process, blending core concepts like Made in Italy and sustainability into their training.

As production workshops dwindle in France—historically known for its footwear industry like Romans-sur-Misère—this project may inspire emerging bootmakers to revive the industry domestically.