Toronto gets a shoemaking school

Shoemaking's something of a dying art in the current age of fast fashion, but there are a few folks cobbling together a revival in Toronto. Our city has a number of long-running repair stores and a handful of custom shoemakers - and now, you can join their ranks at what might be Canada's only shoemaking school. The Art & Sole Academy, the brainchild of a footwear designer, launches this fall, with day-long workshops on how to make your own pumps, ballet flats, sandals and more.

After founder Jennifer Allison spent the last few years working around the world in the footwear industry, she says, she wanted to bring what she learned back to Canada and "make shoemaking accessible to a general audience" - no heavy machinery required. The first few classes, which include all the tools and most of the materials needed (plus snacks), are set to go down at Goodfolk in October before moving to other cities in Ontario through the rest of the year. Workshops are $165-$475, depending on what type of shoe you're making.

Photo via Art & Sole Academy on Facebook