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About Valeria Fic

Years of Craft.
A Lifetime of Vision.

Valerija Fic is a Paris-certified Haute Couture Technologist, the founder of The European School of Haute Couture Embroidery Online, and the author of The Business of Creative Arts. She established her personal brand in 2013 and founded School of Couture in 2018 — the first Haute Couture embroidery school in the Baltic States, now home to 3,000+ students across 57 countries.

Her training spans three European cities: Tallinn, Rome, and Paris, where she studied under masters of traditional and contemporary embroidery. Her practice spans tambour embroidery, Aari embroidery, goldwork embroidery, Lunéville technique, and sculptural 3D embroidery.

In 2021, Valerija placed 2nd at the Hand & Lock Prize in London — one of the world's most prestigious embroidery competitions — with the winning piece exhibited at the OXO Tower, London. That same year, her collection was presented at the Cannes Film Festival, worn by French top model Audrey Bouette and actress Wilma Elles, and selected by Arabian Moda for publication.

School of Couture operates under MB Artisan Solutions, registered as an official education provider with the Lithuanian Ministry of Education. The Business of Creative Arts has been adopted into educational programmes at Vilnius University, Vilnius College, Kaunas College, Utena College, and Siauliai College.

Paris-certifiedHand & Lock Prize 2021Cannes Film FestivalPublished Author
Valeria Fic, founder of School of Couture
3,000+ students
57 countries
40 U.S. states and territories
Founded 2018
Paris-certified technologist
The Foundation · Tallinn, Rome, Paris

A foundation built across Europe

Valeria's technical foundation was built across four distinct disciplines and three countries. In Tallinn, she studied Lunéville embroidery and 3D sculptural modelling. In Rome, she trained in contemporary embroidery. In Paris, she completed a one-year degree in Haute Couture embroidery technologies — earning her certification as a Haute Couture Technologist. Beyond formal schooling, she pursued Haute Couture hand sewing, traditional and ecclesiastical goldwork embroidery, and Aari embroidery — building a practice that spans the full range of couture and atelier technique.

Embroidery frame in a Paris atelier
The Practice
Valeria working on a crystal-embroidered piece

A multidisciplinary approach that spans both technical execution and artistic direction

01

Traditional and contemporary goldwork embroidery

02

Lunéville embroidery (both French and Indian techniques)

03

3D modeling and sculptural embroidery with material manipulation

04

Design and technical execution of complex embroidery projects

05

Contemporary embroidery and materials upcycling into modern art and fashion objects

06

Deep interest in fashion history, research of historical objects, and reconstruction/restoration of embroidered fragments

2018 · School of Couture

2018 marked the beginning of the first Haute Couture Embroidery School in the Baltic States

School of Couture by Valeria Fic, bringing together both beginners and professionals from around the world.

School of Couture (MB Artisan Solutions) - registered as an official education provider with the Lithuanian Ministry of Education, Science and Sport (AIKOS national register). Registered for non-formal adult education.
Students at a School of Couture workshop
2021 · London · Hand & Lock Prize

An established presence on the international fashion embroidery stage

In 2021, Valerija Fic placed 2nd at the Hand & Lock Prize in London — one of the world's most prestigious embroidery competitions. The winning piece was exhibited at the OXO Tower, London.

Valeria receiving the Hand and Lock Prize in London Close-up of the Hand and Lock Prize winning piece
2021 · Cannes Film Festival
Runway presentation at the Cannes Film Festival

Presented at the Cannes Film Festival

In 2021, Valerija presented a collection at the Cannes Film Festival, created together with students of School of Couture. Selected pieces were worn by French top model Audrey Bouette and actress Wilma Elles.

Arabian Moda

At the Cannes Film Festival, selected couture pieces were chosen by Arabian Moda, leading to publication in the magazine

Valeria with a model at the Cannes Film Festival Couture piece selected by Arabian Moda at Cannes
In Print · STILIUS Plus

Featured on the cover of STILIUS Plus magazine

A story of a professional journey in the world of Haute Couture.

STILIUS Plus magazine cover featuring Valeria Fic
In Print · FEMEST Global Women Magazine

Cover story in FEMEST

In conversation with FEMEST, the global women's magazine, on the power of trying, on building a business from your mind, your experience and your know-how, and on the value of creativity in the AI era.

"The scariest thing is not failing. It's never giving yourself the chance to try."
Read the interview
FEMEST Global Women Magazine cover featuring Valeria Fic
Mentorship · LT Big Brother
Valeria in a podcast studio

Mentorship That Grows Leaders

Mentor within the national program LT Big Brother, supporting creative entrepreneurs in business growth and development.

The Podcast · Kūryba be Filtrų

Valeria created, hosted, and produced a podcast as a dedicated platform for creators and creative business

Kūryba be Filtrų with Agnė Kuzmickaitė
With Agnė Kuzmickaitė
Kūryba be Filtrų with Borisetti
With Borisetti
Kūryba be Filtrų with Irina Sinė
With Irina Sinė
ELLE Lithuania

Lithuanian Creators Ambassador

Contributing to conversations on creators and creative culture — with selected features published in ELLE Lithuania.

Valeria holding ELLE Lithuania magazine
The Book
The Business of Creative Arts book

The first book, The Business of Creative Arts

published and presented as a guide to creative entrepreneurship, later recognized by leading Lithuanian academic institutions such as -

Vilnius UniversityVilnius CollegeKaunas CollegeUtena CollegeSiauliai College

and integrated into educational programs.

Valeria interviewed at the book presentation Audience at the book launch
Today

An international online embroidery platform

where craftsmanship evolves into skill, and skill into independent creative direction.

Explore Our Courses
Valeria Fic with her book
Frequently Asked Questions

Stitches of Clarity

Do I need prior experience in embroidery to start these courses?

No prior experience needed — at all. Every course at School of Couture starts from the very beginning. No artistic background, no equipment experience, no embroidery knowledge required. If you can hold a needle, you can start.

The techniques look complicated. Will I actually be able to do this?

That's the most common thing my students say before Lesson 1 — and the first thing they take back after it. Every technique is broken down into small, logical steps. The close-up filming means you see exactly what the thread does, where the needle goes, and why. What looks complicated becomes clear very quickly.

I have a busy life. How much time do I need?

There are no live sessions, no deadlines, and no schedule to follow. You learn when you have an hour — or come back in three weeks. The courses are designed around real life, not the other way around.

How long do I have access to the courses?

Lifetime. Once you purchase a course, it's yours permanently. Return to a lesson a year from now, start a second project, revisit a technique whenever you need it — it will all still be there.

Can I really learn embroidery through video? Don't I need someone to correct me in person?

The close-up filming format was specifically designed to replace an in-person teacher. You see every stitch added in real time, from the exact angle you'd have if I were sitting beside you. And if you have a question at any point — you can reach me directly. I personally answer student questions.

Where do I get the materials? I live outside Europe.

Every course includes the 28-page Global Materials Sourcing Guide: 32 verified suppliers across Europe, North America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand that ship worldwide, with specific recommendations for the US, UK and EU, plus an Etsy keyword and country-filter guide. You'll know exactly what to buy and exactly where to order it, with no hunting around.

Are materials or supplies included in the course fee?

No, materials are purchased separately. Each course includes a detailed materials list so you know exactly what you need. We also work with an official supplier who can put together a complete kit for you and ship it internationally — just send them your list and they'll handle the rest.

Your prices are in euros — can I pay in USD or another currency?

Yes, absolutely. All prices are listed in EUR, but your bank or card provider will automatically convert the amount to your local currency at the day's exchange rate. You can pay from anywhere in the world — no extra steps needed.

Is the checkout secure?

Yes. All payments are processed through secure checkout, with support for Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Klarna (Buy Now, Pay Later). Your payment details are never stored on our servers.

Is School of Couture a legitimate, officially registered institution?

Yes. School of Couture operates under MB Artisan Solutions, which is officially registered as an education provider with the Lithuanian Ministry of Education, Science and Sport. We are listed in Lithuania's national education register (AIKOS) — the government's publicly accessible database of all licensed educational institutions in the country, available for anyone to verify.

We are registered to teach in both English and Lithuanian.

Can I get a refund if I'm not satisfied?

Due to the digital nature of our courses, all sales are final. Once you have purchased a course, you have immediate access to the full content — and therefore refunds cannot be provided. Please review the course description carefully before purchasing. If you have any questions before buying, I'm always happy to help — write to me at [email protected].

For full details, please see our Terms & Conditions.

Is there a community or forum for students?

Yes — every course purchase includes access to our private student community. It's a space to share your work in progress, ask questions, and connect with embroiderers from 57 countries. You're not learning alone.

Can I gift a course to someone else?

Yes! Simply go to the course you'd like to gift, proceed to checkout, and click "Send As a Gift". You'll be able to enter the recipient's details and send it directly to them.