RIYADH — The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) has signed a strategic partnership agreement with the globally renowned Istituto Marangoni, officially marking the institute's entry into Riyadh's Creative District. The move reinforces the Saudi capital's growing stature as a global center for fashion, arts, and innovation. The partnership, announced on Thursday, was developed in collaboration with the Fashion Commission under the Ministry of Culture and is backed by the Ministry of Investment. Istituto Marangoni, headquartered in Milan and with branches in Paris, London, and Miami, will begin operations in Riyadh in August 2025. Founded in 1935, Istituto Marangoni is one of the world's leading academic institutions in fashion, design, and luxury brand management. Its Riyadh campus will offer advanced academic programs tailored to the needs of the Saudi and global fashion industries, while also integrating local cultural heritage and identity into international creative standards. The institute's launch follows comprehensive market studies aimed at identifying both national and global fashion education needs. A key goal is to equip a new generation of Saudi designers with the technical and creative skills to compete on the world stage. The programs will offer an immersive, interactive learning environment, rooted in Riyadh's fast-growing creative sector. "The arrival of Istituto Marangoni reflects our commitment to transforming Riyadh into a leading destination for culture, creativity, and innovation," said Eng. Mazen Ahmed Tammar, Acting Vice President of City Marketing and Investment Promotion at RCRC. "Its programs will blend global best practices with Saudi identity to develop future leaders in fashion." Italian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Carlo Baldocci hailed the agreement as a milestone in strengthening creative cooperation between the Kingdom and Italy. Stefania Valenti, Group Managing Director of Istituto Marangoni, expressed gratitude for the robust support from Saudi partners and reaffirmed the institute's dedication to investing in Saudi talent and shaping a vibrant fashion ecosystem. As part of its rollout, the institute will offer a three-year diploma program for Saudi students, including 50 partial scholarships for high school graduates or equivalent, selected through a competitive process launched earlier this year. The initiative forms part of the broader Creative District vision announced by RCRC's Board of Directors in February. The first phase, located in the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), focuses on attracting global talent in media, performing and visual arts, and creative technologies.
