Istituto Marangoni to shape Saudi Arabia’s fashion future

Burak Cakmak, CEO of the Saudi Fashion Commission, speaks at the Istituto Marangoni Ramadan event in Riyadh. (Supplied)
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Updated 24 March 2025
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Istituto Marangoni to shape Saudi Arabia’s fashion future

RIYADH: Milan’s fashion and design-focused Istituto Marangoni will launch in Riyadh in August in collaboration with the Saudi Fashion Commission.

At a recent Ramadan event co-hosted by Istituto Marangoni and the Fashion Commission, key players explained why the move is a game-changer for aspiring creatives in the Kingdom.

Burak Cakmak, CEO of the Fashion Commission, highlighted the significance of having Istituto Marangoni in Saudi Arabia, stating that its presence will allow aspiring designers to receive education without the need for international travel. “Having an institution like this on the ground will make it much easier for anyone interested in the fashion sector to study, take short programs, or even combine work with education,” he told Arab News.

The new Higher Training Institute, located in the King Abdullah Financial District, will offer three-year undergraduate advanced training diploma programs across several disciplines, including fashion business, fragrances and cosmetics, fashion design, and fashion styling.

Stefania Valenti, CEO of Istituto Marangoni, said that students will also have the option to transfer to global campuses to complete their studies, to gain exposure to international fashion hubs. “We work with all the major global brands, and we aim to connect Saudi talent with international opportunities,” she said.

In an interview with Arab News, Valenti revealed that the institute plans to expand its programs beyond fashion and fragrance, with courses in product and interior design set to launch in the future. “We believe this should be the second wave of creative education in Saudi Arabia,” she said.

To mark the launch, Istituto Marangoni will offer 50 scholarships to Saudi students enrolling in its Advanced Training Diploma Programs, open to Saudi nationals holding a high school certificate or its equivalent.

 

 


Arab designers shine bright at the Golden Globes

Updated 13 January 2026
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Arab designers shine bright at the Golden Globes

DUBAI/ LOS ANGELES: Arab designers dressed a handful of stars at the 83rd Annual Golden Globes on Sunday, with talent from Lebanon, Egypt and Saudi Arabia among the designers to be featured on the awards ceremony red carpet. 

Show host Nikki Glaser took to the red carpet at the event in a baby pink gown by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad.

The outfit, one of many costume changes for Glaser on Sunday night, hailed from his Resort 2026 collection.

For her part, Kylie Jenner was spotted at the awards ceremony in a custom-made silver gown by Saudi couturier Mohammed Ashi, the founder of Paris-based label Ashi Studio.

Kylie Jenner was spotted at the awards ceremony in a custom-made silver gown by Saudi couturier Mohammed Ashi. (Getty Images) 

Irish TV personality Maura Higgins looked elegant in a figure-hugging black gown with a textured golden shawl-like accessory by Dubai-based Egyptian designer Marmar Halim.

 Timothee Chalamet and a sea of other stars also said goodbye to color at this year's Golden Globes, opting instead for black.

Ariana Grande left behind her “Wicked” character's signature pink color for a black Vivienne Westwood couture dress but brought back her ponytail. Other notable celebrities in black included Ayo Edebiri, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus and Mia Goth.

Edebiri chose a black off-the-shoulder Chanel dress embellished with jewels on the shoulders from Matthieu Blazy’s Métiers d’Art 2026 show.

Celebrities held onto their gowns and watched their steps as they posed for photos on high stairs that served as the red carpet. Like the Met Gala, they lined up at the bottom and had to perilously climb their way up.

Maura Higgins looked elegant in a figure-hugging black gown with a textured golden shawl-like accessory by Dubai-based Egyptian designer Marmar Halim. (Getty Images) 

The 83rd Golden Globes gives a glimpse into how celebrities will showcase their original take on fashion as the awards season progresses. Since 1944, the show has honored the best in film and television.

The carpet, at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, is a chance for nominees to make a statement, though some are beholden to fashion houses who pay them as ambassadors.

Several, including George Clooney, wore Giorgio Armani. The fashion world lost Armani in September, but his eponymous brand lives on.

“It was nice to see so many attendees, including Julia Roberts and Kate Hudson, wearing the brand and pay tribute,” said Véronique Hyland, fashion features director for Elle.

Stars also shone in metallics. “Sentimental Value” actor Renate Reinsve twirled on the carpet in a shimmery silver tasseled dress by Nicolas Ghesquiere for Louis Vuitton. Her co-star Elle Fanning's Gucci dress was embroidered with Norwegian flowers in honor of their Norwegian drama film.