"The years I spent taking art lessons and attending art and music camps are deeply etched in my memory. As a young girl, these classes gave me confidence, courage and spirit that helped shape the person I am today."

- Jennifer Siletski, Director

New York Fashion Accessories Camp (NYFAC) is a five-day, hands-on, immersion program for creative teens, ages 14 to 18, passionate about fashion and design. Each camper designs, creates, and takes home a leather handbag and pair of shoes. All handbags, shoes, and boots featured on our website were handmade by our students. Over the course of the week campers study examples of finished bags and footwear, sketch their initial designs, make a set of industrial patterns, source their leather and hardware, and assemble their bags and shoes. Prior sewing skills are not necessary.

NYFAC is the only camp in the tri-state area to teach patternmaking skills for handbags and shoes, and to take campers from concept to finished product. Our instructors are industry professionals, with seventy-five years of experience between them, who have taught at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and worked at Steve Madden and Coach, among other leading fashion design houses.

Morning studio hours are devoted to handbag and footwear production, and sketching classes. Afternoons may include field trips to fashion museums, tours of notable design houses such as The Frye Company, and a behind-the-scenes visit to a Broadway show with a leading theater footwear designer.

Campers work in small classes and one-on-one with instructors and mentors to develop their technical skills and complete their projects. Lasting friendships are inevitable in this relaxed and nurturing, creative community.

“I have studied with Jenn for five years. I love coming back. How many people can walk around saying, “Thanks, I made it!” when getting a compliment on a bag they are wearing. Completing a handbag is such a rewarding feeling and all you want to do is show it off…”

- Carly, age 16

NYFAC is the sister program to the New Jersey School of Fashion Design and Accessories (NJSFDA), established in 1998 by Jennifer Siletski.