The Milan-based school Istituto Marangoni is taking the next step in education in Riyadh.
Opened in September 2025, the campus initially offered diploma programs and professional courses and is now expanding its academic portfolio to include bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, as announced on Thursday by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture and chairman of the board of directors of the Fashion Commission, His Highness Prince Bader bin Farhan Al Saud.
“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,” he said.
Applications for the degree programs will remain open until Nov. 4, with the academic semester beginning in January 2027. The undergraduate program will introduce four majors: Fashion Design and Accessories, Fashion Communication and Image, Fashion Management, and Digital Communication. At the graduate level, the program will offer a master’s degree in Fashion and Luxury Brand Management.
To support the new generations of talents pursuing higher education in cultural and creative disciplines, Istituto Marangoni’s Riyadh campus has been officially recognized by Royal Order as an approved institution for domestic scholarships under the Cultural Scholarship Program, an initiative by the Saudi Ministry of Culture aimed at supporting students in these fields.
“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,” commented Burak Çakmak, chief executive officer of the Saudi Fashion Commission.
The Istituto Marangoni Riyadh campus.
Courtesy of Instituto Marangoni
This recognition further strengthens the ongoing collaboration between the Saudi Fashion Commission and Istituto Marangoni, established through a memorandum of understanding signed in 2024. Both institutions have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing fashion education and industry development, while fostering stronger connections between academic institutions, the fashion industry, and international networks.
“This important achievement will further enable us to offer the Istituto Marangoni, Riyadh Campus, students the same academic excellence, globally recognized degree qualifications, and international network that have distinguished Istituto Marangoni for over 90 years,” said global managing director of Istituto Marangoni Stefania Valenti. “Our ambition is to empower the next generation of creative talents and luxury professionals, equipping them with the skills, vision and expert outlook needed to succeed on the global stage.”
Valenti also added that the response since the campus opened has been very positive. “Our students have shown enthusiasm, curiosity, and a genuine eagerness to learn. Fashion design remains the strongest area of interest, but students are increasingly drawn to business, management, communication, and image.”
She said that students “understand that even an innovative creative idea requires a solid strategy to succeed. Among young talent, I have noticed a growing desire to incorporate Saudi identity into their work through heritage, craftsmanship, and cultural storytelling, while leveraging contemporary tools such as digital design to compete on a global scale.”
