Riyadh to Host Marangoni International Institute in 2025
On Tuesday, the Saudi fashion sector witnessed the signing of the “Marangoni” International Institute, a new strategic partnership with the Saudi Fashion Authority. It will become the first international group for higher education in creative fields in Riyadh. The new institute is scheduled to open its doors in the capital during the year 2025.
This announcement was made during a press conference attended by the Saudi Deputy Minister of Culture, Hamid Fayez. The institute’s mission in the Kingdom is to open new avenues for developing local talent, empowering women, and boosting employment, aiming to become one of the world’s most dynamic markets for young consumers and innovators in the digital realm. It will be accredited by the General Corporation for Technical and Vocational Training.
The institute provides academic services to enhance careers in fashion and luxury management. Its main program, a 3-year advanced diploma, covers areas such as fashion product design and management, creative direction, perfume and cosmetics management, and interior design. Officials highlighted to Asharq Al-Awsat the importance of this partnership, suggesting its potential to increase foreign investments in the Kingdom, given the fashion sector’s plan to welcome international educational institutions into the Saudi market.
The institute offers academic services to advance careers in fashion, business, and luxury management. Its main program, a 3-year advanced diploma, covers key areas like fashion product design, creative direction, perfume and cosmetics management, and interior design. Officials emphasized to Asharq Al-Awsat the significance of this partnership, indicating its potential to boost foreign investments in the Kingdom, given the fashion sector’s clear plan to facilitate the entry of international educational institutions into the Saudi market.
Foreign Investment
The CEO of the Fashion Authority in the Saudi Ministry of Culture, Burak Çakmak, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the partnership with the Marangoni Institute is a good indicator of the presence of interest in foreign direct investment in Saudi Arabia with regard to the fashion sector, adding: “We have seen many International brands that have already started coming directly to the Kingdom to operate their businesses.”
He pointed out that the authority has worked over the past three years on many aspects to empower the sector, including identifying local brands, providing programs to professionalize business, and supporting talent at the international and local levels. The move led to the launch of Fashion Week in Riyadh during October from last year.
He noted that the great relevance of the authority’s key performance indicators to tracking the progress achieved in this sector. This includes the number of people educated in fashion-related creative fields who work in the sector. He explained that they also look at the sector’s overall contribution to the country’s GDP.
Creative Management
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, the managing director of the Marangoni International Fashion Institute, Stefania Valenti, explained that the most important factors that led the institute to take this step are “Vision 2030,” in addition to the existence of a consistent program by the Fashion Authority.
Valentiadded that the growth of local and international brands in the Saudi market requires ready creative management. She highlighted that one key factor driving the institute’s decision to enter the Saudi market is a research finding from Boston Consulting. It projects double-digit growth for the fashion sector in the Kingdom by 2030.
The Fashion Authority, established in 2020 under the Ministry of Culture, supports the fashion sector by enabling and developing it. It also covers all stages of the product value chain, from design to product life cycle management. The Authority aims to meet global needs, boost the national economy, empower the fashion sector, and support local talents.
The “Marangoni” Institute, founded in Milan in 1935, serves as an educational hub for creative individuals in fashion, art, and design. With schools in major fashion, art, and design capitals worldwide, it hosts around 5,000 students annually from 108 countries. QS World University Rankings for 2024 place it among the top 100 universities globally in these fields.
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