Owners and founders Esaie and Wanda Bruno bring 30 years of combined experience in the design and marketing of clothing. Their fierce dedication to excellence guides their company as well as their New York sewing classes.
Wanda, a native of Philadelphia, came to New York with a dream to enter the fashion industry after attending the Fashion Institute of Technology. She has since worked for many years on the design teams at Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Eileen Fisher, Betsey Johnson, House of Dereon, Saks 5th Avenue, Brooks Brothers and many other designer companies and high-end retailers. She has traveled across the world to personally oversee the development of many of these designer lines.
Esaie, a native of Port-Au-Prince Haiti, has extensive experience in the sales and marketing of clothing lines. Being a stylish man in his own right, and with well-honed people skills and customer care, he is able to anticipate and immediately respond to his clients fashion wardrobe needs.
In addition, Esaie and Wanda are both trained image consultants retained by high profile politicians, celebrities, leaders in industry and athletes. They are a valuable resource, offering advice on color, silhouette, industry-appropriate style options and accessory choices. They are available as speakers and seminar presenters on these and other topics related to fashion, sewing, patterns and dressmaking.
FAQs
What are some of your most popular classes that you offer on CourseHorse?
The most popular classes are the 2-Hour Sew Simple, 3-Hour Learn to Sew in a Day, 6 Month Garment Construction, 6 Month Fashion Design.
How long have you been in business? Can you share a bit more about your history?
We've been officially in business for about 10 years this 2016. Fifteen years ago, Esaie and Wanda Bruno founded the Esaie Couture custom clothing line in New York City. As the years passed, the sense of style exhibited through Esaie Couture clothing sparked an ever growing inspiration and contagious longing to learn to sew among their clientele, a longing which led to the eventual birth of the Esaie Couture Design School, conceived with the primary purpose of empowering fashion enthusiasts with the knowledge and skill of fashion sewing and design.
What is your average class size?
Our average class size is 6-7 students.
What is your typical student like? What are their goals?
Our students are typically between 25 and 55 years of age, many have some experience in the fashion industry who seeks to enhance their knowledge and skill in order to utilize them in their own entrepreneurial endeavors. And others take advantage of our open enrollment and philosophy "If you want to learn, we'll teach you", along with our personal attention and hands on approach, to further their academic careers.
Can you recommend activities to do in the neighborhood before or after class?
There are many attractions within walking distance of the school. Before or after class, a student could see a game at Madison Square Garden, go sight seeing at the Empire State Building, walk over to Times Square for dinner , a Broadway show or to just see the sights, or shop at many retailers in the area, including world famous Macy's Department Store.
Esaie Couture Design School
Flatiron, Manhattan 38 W 32nd St 10th Fl Ste 1012 Btwn 5th Ave & Broadway New York, New York 10001
Reviews of Esaie Couture Design School
(4.4-star rating across
334 reviews)
Sew Simple Workshop - Zipper Pouch
Reviewed by Stasie M. on 11/17/2020
I have been intimidated by zippers. Well, no more! Wanda is a great teacher. I was able to create a cute stylish pouch with her direction.
Learn to Sew in a Day: Skirt
Reviewed by Stasie M. on 9/25/2020
Wanda is an amazing teacher and extremely patient. Aside from tracking me the basics of this simple skirt, she shared information about everything from selecting fabrics and measuring properly to threading the machine. I am very happy that I have successfully made a cute skirt and I can’t wait to wear it.
Sew Simple Workshop - Zipper Pouch
Anonymous review on 6/2/2020
i was not able to log on and would like a refund
Learn to Sew in a Day: Skirt
Anonymous review on 5/20/2019
Class was great. Wanda was a great instructor, she is very knowledgeable about sewing
Learn to Sew in a Day: Skirt
Anonymous review on 4/29/2019
The instructor was super nice and patient. It was a great class for a beginner or someone with experience. It made me want to learn more and do it again
Learn to Sew in a Day: Tote Bag
Reviewed by Daniela L. on 12/12/2018
While the outward appearance of the school facilities caught me off-guard, the machines and materials used in the class were great and the teacher was super friendly. They were incredibly patient and let me do a more sophisticated product than what I signed up for-- Dani, the instructor, let me experiment with zig zag stitches, reinforced handles, and pockets. The class takes an hour less than listed but they want to give everyone, even the perfectionists and slowest learners, time to perfect their product.
Pattern-Making (Private)
Reviewed by Jahlisa B. on 11/15/2018
After the reading the reviews I decided to just go for it and take the pattern making private course with Daniel. I learned so much in two hours. He was so patient and broke everything down to me. I will definitely be signing up for another class. I enjoyed it so much and he was a great instructor. He was professional and very knowledgeable.
Daniel was a great instructor. Considering the course was an hour, his method of demonstrating a process and repeating it before having us do it, was extremely helpful.
Learn to Sew in a Day: Tote Bag
Anonymous review on 9/5/2018
He taught us how to sew like a garment factory.
Learn to Sew in a Day: Tote Bag
Anonymous review on 8/28/2018
The instructor sent a text the evening before the class and canceled it because there weren't enough students enrolled. And then asked me to reschedule for another Saturday. Strangely CourseHorse sent an email out the same evening announcing there were still 5 seats left in the class! So how many students does the course need to meet then? To give up a summer Saturday to attend a class like this was a sacrifice and a now a total loss. To reschedule another Saturday in hope it will happen is not an option. I want my money back.
Learn to Sew in a Day: Skirt
Anonymous review on 8/12/2018
Loved it!
Beginner Sewing (Private)
Reviewed by Tsering L. on 8/10/2018
Hi , I went to attend the class but there the instructor did not come then they rescheduled my appointment on Saturday evening .
Learn to Sew in a Day: Tote Bag
Reviewed by Christine G. on 8/3/2018
Wonderful tutor. I enjoyed every minute of it. I was worried I wouldn’t follow the instructions but he explained everything beautifully. I feel confident to use a sewing machine now. 5 ⭐️
Learn to Sew in a Day: Skirt
Reviewed by Hannah L. on 7/29/2018
So fantastic!! I loved Danny (the teacher) and the entire event was so much fun. Am going back soon!!
Pattern-Making (Private)
Reviewed by Amanda R. on 7/27/2018
Danny was a helpful, knowledgeable, and efficient instructor.
Learn to Sew in a Day: Tote Bag
Anonymous review on 7/22/2018
The class was okay. I felt a little bit like the teacher was bored to be teaching us and just wanted us to finish as soon as possible so that he could have a longer break between his classes.
Learn to Sew in a Day: Tote Bag
Anonymous review on 7/9/2018
Class was fun and perfect for beginners. I would recommend
Beginner Dressmaking
Reviewed by Karen R. on 6/3/2018
I learned how to sew a dress. After creating 2 muslin samples, I completed the class with a presentable dress that fit well. The group was small enough to allow for very good individualized attention.
Beginner Dressmaking
Anonymous review on 6/3/2018
Great class for beginners! I’m confident now to start sewing on my own thanks to this class. Daniel is a very good teacher!
Students at Esaie Couture Design School have had positive experiences with the classes, particularly with the teacher named Wanda. One student mentioned feeling intimidated by zippers but was able to overcome this fear with Wanda's guidance and create a stylish pouch. Another student appreciated Wanda's patience and thorough teaching, as she not only learned how to make a skirt but also gained information about fabric selection, measuring, and machine threading. Overall, students were happy with what they learned and the skills they were able to walk away with learning.
Quotes:
1. "I have been intimidated by zippers. Well, no more! Wanda is a great teacher. I was able to create a cute stylish pouch with her direction."
2. "Wanda is an amazing teacher and extremely patient. Aside from teaching me the basics of this simple skirt, she shared information about everything from selecting fabrics and measuring properly to threading the machine. I am very happy that I have successfully made a cute skirt and I can’t wait to wear it."
3. "Wanda is an amazing teacher and extremely patient. Aside from tracking me the basics of this simple skirt, she shared information about everything from selecting fabrics and measuring properly to threading the machine. I am very happy that I have successfully made a cute skirt and I can’t wait to wear it."
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