Florence 2026

Welcome to Florence!

This year, the Workroom FashionMash program will take on the Shades of Blue theme by visiting “La Bella,” the magical city of Florence, Italy—birthplace of the Renaissance. It’s also a place to see our Levi’s brand in action among the collection of fashion elite brands. Italy is the home to centuries of fashion design and production. Our global brand has a store there just steps from the Piazza della Signoria. Join this excursion for four packed days in the city that continues to be a heart-ful and art-ful soul of the fashion industry.

The format for the trip

Since it’s spring break, this trip is designed to give you four fun (and busy!) days in Central Florence. From there, you have the ability to easily travel into Europe or another destination to enjoy the rest of your break. Our appointments with retailers and companies that require business hours will be on Friday and Monday. The events at cultural sites are scheduled for the weekend.

Where We Will Stay

Hotel Botticelli, Florence, Arrive Thursday March 12th-Check out Monday, March 16th.
Your room has been reserved at the beautiful Hotel Botticelli in the heart of the ancient city. The location is just 500meters Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, the infamous Duomo in Florence’s central luxury shopping district. It’s also minutes, and easy walking to everything else the city offers.

How We’ll get around

We’ll walk to most all of our destinations. Any transportation services to more distant locations will be provided by the program, as well as costs for any cultural experiences.

Itinerary 2026

Thursday
Students arrive throughout the day. Dana will meet you at the hotel to get you checked in and pay your taxi fare from the ariport. You can store your luggage if rooms are not ready.
Lunch: Orientation meeting at lunchtime. We’ll relax and let everyone get checked in. Trains and planes are arriving at different times today.
2:00pm: Check-in to rooms, relax
3:30-5:30: Duomo. Very near the hotel. Meet in lobby of Hotel Botticelli at 3:30 to walk over for our 4pm entry time. Explore the cathedral, the crypt, the baptistry and the museum.
7:00pm: Meet in lobby of Hotel Botticelli to leave for dinner

Friday
Breakfast at the hotel.
10:00am: Meet in the lobby for walk across Florence. Santa Croce first: Scuola del Cuoio (leather school), chocolate festival, the Basilica di Santa Croce, Aqua Flor, then Pitti Palace Museum of Fashion and Costume.
1:00pm: Lunch at Gucci.
3:00pm: Walk across the city with a brief stop at Levi’s store and Levi’s Vintage store.
7:00pm: Meet in hotel lobby and walk to dinner.

Saturday
8:30am: Meet in hotel lobby after breakfast to walk to the the train. Take high-speed train to Milan. 9:25am Train departure from Firenze SMN.
Arrive Milan to check out Levi’s flagship.
Tour Milan Cathedral.
Tour several ateliers from 12:30pm to 3:30pm.
Grab food along the way.
7:40pm take train home to Florence.

Sunday
10:00am: Salvatore Ferragamo Museum
1:00pm Lunch and fashion + art deep dive into the Uffuzi Gallery
4:00pm End day at Galleria dell'Accademia to see the David
7:00pm Dinner in the Piazza Della Signoria.

Monday
9:00am Check out of hotel, store luggage.
10:00am Brunch/breakfast meetings with fashion leaders.
Students leave throughout the day.
Students staying meet with Sarah Angold, coming in from London. Times will accommodate when students are still available.

Meet Our London Partner

We are very lucky to have the support of 29acacia CEO, Sarah Angold as a partner. Sarah’s past experience as a luxury jewelry designer—providing products for some of Europe’s most elegant retailers—combined with her leadership in the UK’s fashion sustainability initiatives will inspire you as she links us with contacts in Rome. Learn more about her background by clicking the image below. Sarah’s energy will amaze you and she has a vast network across the European fashion industry.

Sarah has been a part of the Workroom FashionMash industry pro group for many years. Her father was a professor at Duke. She’s traveled to UNC a number of times to conduct workshops and speak on networking panels. Sarah’s an excellent educator, having also taught classes at top UK universities. She’s very familiar with our group and is excited to offer new contacts in Italy you!

safety and contacts

UNC will enroll you in Geo-Blue, the travel insurance affiliated with the university. While we are in Florence, there is always a way to access contacts, health and safety via UNC Study Abroad.

Dana McMahan Phone and WhatsApp +1-919-434-1229 (24/7 throughout the trip).