Istituto Marangoni Celebrates 90 Years of Fashion Education

Founded in 1935, Istituto Marangoni teaches nearly 6,000 students within its schools in Milan, Florence, Paris, London, Dubai, Mumbai, Shanghai and soon Riyadh, with its own flourish of innovation baked into its educational model.
For its 90th anniversary, Istituto Marangoni will celebrate its legacy as a leading institution in shaping the global fashion and luxury landscape. A new initiative aims to honor and showcase the cultural contributions of Italian pioneers who set the foundation for excellence in these industries, reaffirming the school’s role in preserving and promoting the heritage of Italian creativity and innovation worldwide.
The school believes strongly that leveraging innovation in its educational model plays an important role in students developing skills before entering the evolving creative industries. This includes curriculums created with guidance to succeed in the fashion industry with notable participating leaders including Rocco Iannone and Ib Kamara in Milan and Amina Muaddi in Florence. Notable graduates include Rahul Mishra, Alessandro Sartori, Paula Cademartori and Gilda Ambrosio.
School of Milan Fashion Show.
Notably, the school was originally established to teach fashion illustrators and patternmakers, the school also extended its focus to the needs of cinema and theater. In its 90-year history, Istituto Marangoni Milano’s evolution from the “Istituto Artistico dell’Abbigliamento Marangoni,” created by Giulio Marangoni, has created a global reference point for creative and professional training in the fashion, design and luxury industries.
“Today, Istituto Marangoni Milano reflects a vibrant, international student community and a forward-looking approach with innovation [and] AI integration in the learning tools at the heart of its programs, ensuring they remain aligned with the evolving demands of the creative industries,” said Stefania Valenti, managing director of Istituto Marangoni.
Stefania Valenti, managing director at Istituto Marangoni.
Furthermore, Valenti told Fairchild Studio, that Istituto Marangoni continues to harness innovation in its educational model through initiatives like the Immersive Virtual School, which sets a new benchmark for integrating technology and creativity in learning. This innovative platform, which was implemented four years ago, merges cutting-edge technology with collaborative methodologies, creating a dynamic, interactive virtual environment where students can connect, learn and grow with a new and more engaged approach.
The Immersive Virtual School allows for unique potential by leveraging its virtual aspects. In 2022, spaces within the ecosystem with a dedicated metaverse area, invite students to host events and discussions including exhibitions, fashion showcases and project presentations.
“By fostering social interaction, creative exploration and experiential learning, this initiative redefines the possibilities of education and prepares students for the evolving demands of the creative industries,” said Valenti. “This emphasis on innovation equips students with the tools and mindset needed to thrive in the evolving creative industries by seamlessly integrating traditional skills with cutting-edge technologies.”
Examples of this are the Immersive Virtual School foundation students already engaging in innovative, interactive learning formats and producing remarkable outcomes including the creation of traditional and 3D collections, virtual exhibitions and exploring new business opportunities within virtual showrooms.
“For students focused on business, this approach introduces forward-thinking applications such as integrating NFTs with traditional sales models, paving the way for new forms of commerce,” said Valenti. “By blending creativity, technology and engagement, Istituto Marangoni ensures its graduates are not only prepared but poised to lead in the ever-changing landscape of the creative industries.”
Another area of growth for the school is the success of its fragrances and cosmetics courses and the launch of new hospitality courses which Valenti said have had a proven impact on the industry. The fragrances and cosmetics courses offered at the Milan, Paris and Florence schools have shown a 50 percent year-over-year increase in enrollments underscoring the appeal and relevance of these programs, which have been designed to meet the industry’s needs.
The courses include an annual intensive course in product management for fragrances and cosmetics, a three-year course in fragrances and cosmetics management and specialized master’s programs in marketing and communication, brand management and licensing and olfactory experience management for the luxury industry. Moreover, the programs offer partnerships with companies such as Chanel, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana and L’Oréal.
Digital Fashion Show.
“Through real business cases and collaboration with top brands, students acquire the skills to excel in the most in-demand roles or embark on entrepreneurial careers,” said Valenti. “This approach ensures graduates are ready to shape future trends and contribute meaningfully to the fragrances and cosmetics sector, reinforcing Istituto Marangoni’s role as a leading talent incubator in this global industry.”
Looking ahead, the Istituto Marangoni will continue to evolve and fuel innovation with more course programs as the industry demands and open schools in new cities. The latest school addition in Riyadh, said Valenti, will stand out in its “focus on nurturing the creative talents and future managers of Saudi students, laying the foundation for the local fashion ecosystem in collaboration with the Fashion Commission.” Riyadh will also serve as a bridge for international brands seeking managerial profiles tailored to the Saudi market.
“We really wish to contribute, with our academic method and global community, to the foundation of the new fashion and luxury system in Saudi where we perceive there is now the most sparkling momentum for enhancing the creative talents in the region.”
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