Anna Zainola reveals to Al-Youm the rapid transformations in the fashion sector in the Kingdom
This came as part of its first activities in the city, through an exclusive “Master Class” organized by the Italian Consulate General, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and the Fashion Authority, and in the presence of the Italian Consul General in Jeddah, Leonardo Costa, and with the participation of a select group of creators, industry experts and emerging talents.
The fashion sector in Saudi Arabia
During the event, Dr. Anna Zainola highlighted the rapid transformations taking place in the Kingdom's fashion sector. In an interview with Al-Youm newspaper, she emphasized that the institute's launch in Riyadh in August 2025 came at a time of remarkable growth in the field, despite the initial challenges.
Dr. Zainola explained that, just one year after its opening, the institute now has students enrolled in three-year academic programs specializing in fashion design and fashion business management, in addition to annual programs and professional courses. She noted that the start of the second academic year has witnessed a clear increase in the number of Saudi students, which, she said, reflects the sector's dynamism and promising future in the Kingdom.
She affirmed that fashion culture in Saudi Arabia is experiencing significant growth, driven by a growing passion among individuals that extends beyond design to encompass various aspects of the industry, from manufacturing to photography and styling. This, she asserted, demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of fashion as an integrated economic and creative sector.
Transformations in the Saudi fashion sector
This event marked the institute's first presence in Jeddah, as part of its expansion beyond Riyadh. The institute seeks to engage with the broader cultural landscape of the Kingdom, at a time when the fashion industry has become a key driver of identity expression and support for creative industries.
During the event, Zainola presented a masterclass titled "Understanding Luxury: From Exclusive Scarcity to Everyday Status," which addressed global shifts in the concept of luxury. She noted its transition from being based on scarcity and traditional craftsmanship to more flexible concepts linked to cultural identity and accessibility, alongside changing consumer behaviors and expectations.
Through global case studies, the session explored how brands are redefining the concept of luxury at the product, experience, and communication levels, in line with the rapid growth of the fashion market in the Kingdom and its increasing regional and global influence.
This presence comes as the Marangoni Institute continues to strengthen its role in enriching the dialogue on fashion education in the Kingdom, particularly given its ranking among the top 50 universities globally for arts and design, according to the QS 2026 rankings, where it holds the 45th position worldwide.
Fashion industry
Founded in Milan in 1935, the institute is one of the leading educational institutions in the field of fashion, having graduated thousands of specialists in the luxury industry worldwide. It welcomes approximately 5,000 students annually from over 100 countries across its branches in several global fashion capitals.
Locally, the Riyadh branch, which opened in August 2025, represents a strategic hub for developing Saudi talent in fashion, design, and beauty. It offers specialized educational programs aligned with labor market needs and contributes to supporting economic diversification goals, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and the Fashion Commission.
Zainola's remarks, along with the event's attendance and engagement, clearly indicate the accelerating growth of the fashion sector in the Kingdom and the increasing interest in it as a pillar of the creative economy and a promising platform for empowering the next generation of Saudi creatives.
