Saudi Arabia is making bold strides toward building a world-class fashion education ecosystem, as Istituto Marangoni expands its academic presence in the Kingdom with new bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
Building Saudi Fashion Talent
The new programs, announced by Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Fashion Commission Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan, build on the campus’s initial diploma and professional courses.
This expansion creates a more comprehensive pathway for Saudi students to pursue specialized fashion education while remaining connected to the international industry.
For Prince Bader, the expansion represents more than an addition to Saudi Arabia’s academic offering. It forms part of a broader push to empower local talent, deepen international academic connections and build a sustainable cultural ecosystem.
“We look forward to this partnership further empowering Saudi talent and strengthening the Kingdom’s engagement with leading cultural academic institutions, contributing to the continued growth and sustainability of the cultural sector and strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a global hub for creativity and culture.”
What Does This Mean for Saudi Talent?
More significantly, the expansion broadens access to specialized fashion education for Saudi students.
Under the Ministry of Culture’s Cultural Scholarship Program, which supports students pursuing studies across the cultural and creative disciplines, Istituto Marangoni’s Riyadh campus has been designated by Royal Order as an approved institution for domestic scholarships.
This approval opens the door for local talent to pursue internationally oriented fashion education within the Kingdom.
A New Academic Chapter
Applications for the new bachelor’s and master’s programs in Riyadh will open on October 8, 2026, and remain open until November 4, ahead of the academic semester beginning in January 2027.
At the undergraduate level, students will have an opportunity to choose from programs in Fashion Design & Accessories, Fashion Communication & Image, and Fashion Management & Digital Communication.
The graduate offering will feature a Master’s degree in Fashion & Luxury Brand Management, providing a specialized pathway into the business of fashion and luxury.
Connecting Education to Industry
The expanded partnership also strengthens the link between education and the wider fashion industry, according to Burak Çakmak, CEO of the Saudi Fashion Commission.
“Building a world-class fashion ecosystem requires investing in talent at every stage of the journey. This next phase of our partnership with Istituto Marangoni strengthens the pathways available to creatives, connecting advanced education with international expertise, industry, and opportunities.”
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