Royal Commission For Riyadh City And Istituto Marangoni Forge Partnership To Boost Creative District Development

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) has entered a strategic partnership with Istituto Marangoni, a renowned fashion and design education institute. This collaboration marks the institute's entry into Riyadh's Creative District, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 to enhance the creative economy. The initiative aims to position Riyadh as a global cultural and creative hub.

In February, RCRC launched the Creative District initiative at King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD). This effort seeks to boost Saudi Arabia's creative economy by fostering collaboration between local and international talents. It targets three main sectors: media, culture, and media technologies.

Istituto Marangoni will officially begin operations in August 2025 within the Creative District. This move results from a strategic partnership between RCRC and the Fashion Commission under the Ministry of Culture. The collaboration follows market studies aimed at addressing local and global fashion sector needs.

Founded in 1935 in Milan, Italy, Istituto Marangoni is a leading institution in fashion, design, and luxury product management. With branches in cities like Paris, London, and Miami, it hosts students from over 100 nationalities. Its new Riyadh headquarters will offer advanced programs tailored to Saudi Arabian and global markets.

The institute plans to integrate local cultural heritage with international creativity standards. It will provide an interactive learning environment for students to benefit from Riyadh’s growing creative industry scene. Eng. Mazen Tammar of RCRC highlighted Istituto Marangoni's expertise in preparing creative leaders globally.

"Istituto Marangoni is one of the most prominent specialized educational institutions in fashion worldwide, boasting over 90 years of experience in preparing creative leaders and developing technical skills," said Eng. Mazen Tammar.

International Collaboration

Italian Ambassador Carlo Baldocci emphasized the significance of this agreement for Saudi Arabia’s creative industry development alongside Italy. "This agreement between Royal Commission for Riyadh City and Istituto Marangoni marks a very significant milestone toward the creation of a strong creative industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," he stated.

Stefania Valenti, Group Managing Director of Istituto Marangoni, expressed gratitude for the project's support from various Saudi entities. She noted that their global expertise would empower new Saudi fashion leaders while reflecting national identity.

Scholarship Opportunities

The institute offers a three-year diploma program for aspiring Saudi fashion students through its partnership with the Fashion Commission. Fifty partial scholarships are available for high school graduates or equivalent candidates via competitive selection on their website.

This initiative represents a crucial step toward creating an integrated environment for Saudi Arabia's fashion industry. It invests directly in human capital by qualifying national competencies capable of competing globally within a sustainable ecosystem.

With inputs from SPA