
Riyadh to Host Global Fashion Institute to Boost Saudi Talent
Italy's Istituto Marangoni, in collaboration with Saudi Fashion Commission, will open a Riyadh campus by August 2025. The move follows extensive market research to address the Kingdom's growing demand for fashion education. Located in King Abdullah Financial District's Riyadh Creative District (RCD), the campus benefits from the Royal Commission for Riyadh City's vibrant creative ecosystem. The area hosts top global creative firms, aligning with Riyadh's emergence as a fashion and innovation hub. Scholarship Opportunities
To nurture local talent, the Fashion Commission is funding 50 scholarships for Saudi students. Applicants must hold a high school diploma or equivalent. The application portal opened March 17, with courses starting in late 2025. Additionally, the three-year diploma offers six specialized tracks: Fashion Design & Accessories, Fashion Communication & Image, Fashion Management, Digital Communication & Media, Fashion Product, and Fragrances & Cosmetics Management. Programs blend Saudi heritage with global industry standards.
Stefania Valenti, Istituto Marangoni's managing director, praised partners like the Ministry of Culture for their support. She emphasized merging global expertise with local culture to empower future fashion leaders under Vision 2030.
Beyond undergraduate courses, the institute will provide flexible upskilling programs for professionals. All classes will be taught by international and Saudi experts, ensuring top-tier training accredited by the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC).
Riyadh's mix of tradition and innovation positions it as a fashion hotspot. This initiative aims to elevate Saudi Arabia's global fashion influence while driving economic diversification.
Short link :
Post Views: 16
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Leaders
5 hours ago
- Leaders
Saudi FM, US State Secretary Discuss Latest Developments
The Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, on Monday received a phone call from the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, according to the Saudi Foreign Ministry. During the call, both officials reviewed the relations and strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and the US. They also discussed the latest regional and international developments and topics of mutual interest. The discussions between the Saudi and US top diplomats focused on Ukraine and Russia talks, stabilization in Syria, and the situation in Gaza, the US State Department said in a statement. Moreover, Rubio expressed gratitude to Prince Faisal for Saudi Arabia's hospitality during the US President Donald Trump's visit to the Kingdom. Trump visited Saudi Arabia on May 13, 2025, in his first foreign trip during his second term as a president. This landmark visit underscored the depth of relations between the two countries, which date back to more than eighty years ago. It also reaffirmed the Kingdom's growing position as a strategic player in regional and international dynamics. The visit was marked by warm hospitality and saw the signing of multiple agreements that boost Saudi-US cooperation across various fields, including economy, defense and technology. Furthermore, Trump's first phone call to a foreign leader after assuming office was with the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman. While in Saudi Arabia, the US President praised the leadership of the Saudi Crown Prince, describing him as an 'incredible man' that has turned Riyadh into a major business, cultural and high-tech capital of the entire world. Short link : Post Views: 85


Arab News
5 hours ago
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia makes bold debut at SXSW film festival in London
DUBAI: The SXSW Film Festival has begun in London, with the Saudi Film Commission hosting a series of exciting cultural events. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ Originating in Austin, Texas, this is the South by Southwest festival's first edition in London — and notably, the Kingdom's debut at the renowned indie film showcase, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently. The Saudi Film Commission, in collaboration with SXSW, will present a curated selection of short films as a part of the 'Saudi Film Nights' initiative. Under the umbrella of Vision 2030, this program supports the Kingdom's broader effort to diversify its economy, with particular emphasis on growing its entertainment sector. The Kingdom's pavilion, known as The Sadu House, will also spotlight contributions from the Music Commission, Culinary Arts Commission, and Fashion Commission, showcasing Saudi Arabia's rich and diverse cultural landscape to a global audience. In addition, the commission will host a panel discussion titled 'Empowering the Film Industry in Saudi Arabia: From Vision to Reality.' The session will delve into cinema's role in shaping national identity, preserving heritage, and advancing Saudi content as a powerful cultural tool. Each day of the festival will feature a showcase of emerging Saudi talent. On June 3, for example, SXSW attendees will experience a taste of Saudi hip-hop with performances by SHANCOTY, and JEED — artists known for their unique blend of hip-hop flair, Afrobeat influences, and slow R&B tones. On June 4, the Kingdom will shift gears and present its underground heavy music scene with performances by death metal bands Wasted Land, Sijeel, and Gimmix, marking a bold introduction of Saudi rock to the SXSW stage. In addition to performances, festivalgoers can attend cultural panels featuring industry professionals from across the Arab world. Topics include female leadership, entrepreneurial ambition, and the evolution of Saudi Arabia's film industry. The opening panel on June 3 is titled 'Vision 2030: Cultural Opportunities for Social and Economic Transformation,' which will explore the potential of Saudi Arabia's cultural power. Day two will feature a session 'Fashion Future Platform: How Data Informs Investment Decisions,' offering a deep dive into the intersection of fashion and data-driven innovation. Another session on day two, 'WWD Female Empowerment – Challenges Facing Women Creatives in a Male-Dominated World,' will spotlight the obstacles and breakthroughs for women in the creative sector. Finally, day three will have a panel 'Sustainability – Challenges of Creating Green Fashion and Beauty in a Throwaway World,' which will underscore the need for sustainability in the industry.


Arab News
7 hours ago
- Arab News
PIF-backed D360 bank eyes global investors for Series A round
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund-backed digital bank D360 is in early talks with potential global investors as it prepares for a Series A funding round planned for the second half of 2025. The Shariah-compliant lender, which began operations in December, is targeting the first quarter of 2026 to complete the raise, CEO Eze Szafir said in an interview with Bloomberg. This development follows the bank's successful securing of around $500 million from existing shareholders, including PIF and Derayah Financial Co. While Szafir did not disclose the size of the upcoming round, he told Bloomberg the funding will support the bank's efforts to expand services to small and medium enterprises, aligning with the Kingdom's broader economic diversification strategy under Vision 2030. 'We're looking for new investors in the international landscape, most probably from Europe or the US, with the same quality we have here with the PIF and Derayah,' Szafir was quoted as saying. D360 also plans to roll out full lending services for individuals and SMEs later this year. In preparation for the raise, the company has appointed former JPMorgan Chase & Co. banker Mohammed Nazer as chief financial officer to lead the process. Nazer said the bank expects to appoint advisers to manage the Series A round by the end of July. One of the first institutions to be granted a digital banking license in Saudi Arabia, D360 currently serves over 1 million users. It is targeting 4 million account holders ahead of a potential public listing within the next four years. By adopting data-driven strategies and modern technologies, D360 aims to contribute to the development of the Kingdom's digital financial infrastructure and align with the goals of Vision 2030. The move comes as the Saudi Central Bank continues to advance regulatory frameworks that support digital transformation in the financial sector. The institution, also known as SAMA, has prioritized fostering innovation and financial inclusion through digital banking, granting licenses to new digital players in a bid to modernize the Kingdom's banking landscape and strengthen financial resilience. This push has helped Saudi electronic payments account for 79 percent of all retail transactions in the Kingdom in 2024, up from 70 percent the previous year, according to SAMA. The central bank also reported that the total number of non-cash retail transactions reached 12.6 billion in 2024, compared to 10.8 billion in 2023, reflecting the continued growth and widespread adoption of digital payment systems nationwide.