The chair of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and a member of the Dubai Council, Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed Al-Maktoum, was one of the honorees at a historic fashion show that marked the Middle East debut of Italian fashion and design school Istituto Marangoni, according to the Emirates News Agency.
A traditional physical fashion show at the Museum of the Future in Dubai was coupled with a corresponding digital version in the metaverse as part of the event’s idea. In a world where reality and virtual reality coexist, models appeared on the real-world catwalk alongside their virtual avatars, creating a unique event that merged tradition with innovation.
The exhibition featured the work of five outstanding alumni from the fashion design programmes offered by Istituto Marangoni in Milan, Florence, Paris, London, and Shanghai. Rahul Mishra, a well-known alumnus who debuted as the first Indian designer in Paris Haute Couture Week, contributed designs to the grand finale.
He honoured his alma mater in Dubai with designs that fuse conventional Indian patterns with contemporary, opulent fashion trends using a sustainable, moral, and “slow fashion” philosophy.
Dubai Culture is trying to improve creative arts education as part of this strategy in order to encourage the emergence and growth of creative talents as well as the creation of an ecosystem of artists in the emirate.
The region’s dedication to the industry and to serving as a centre for culture and creativity is strengthened by the arrival of international institutions with decades of experience in the field of design, according to Sheikha Latifa. “We eagerly anticipate the outstanding talent that (Istituto Marangoni Dubai) will produce in the upcoming years.”
The newest city to host an Istituto Marangoni school is Dubai, joining the ranks of other major fashion hubs including Milan, Florence, Paris, London, Mumbai, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Miami.
The Istituto Marangoni is dedicated to taking an active part in the Middle East to support a fresh ecosystem of institutions, businesses, and stakeholders. With a focus on empowering women in their desired field of interest, whether it be fashion, design, or the arts, we hope to help nurture a new generation of fashion designers in the area.