Virtual and physical show: Sheikha Latifa at Dubai launch of Italian design school Istituto Marangoni

Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and Member of the Dubai Council, on Monday attended a unique talent show at the landmark Museum of the Future (MOTF), marking Italian fashion and design school Istituto Marangoni’s Middle Eastern debut in Dubai. Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth also attended the event.

Real-life models were joined on the catwalk by their avatars in the metaverse as the globally renowned school marked the opening of its first Middle Eastern branch in DIFC Dubai.

Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed said: “Istituto Marangoni’s Dubai branch is a valuable addition to the city’s rapidly developing creative and cultural landscape. Its diverse offering will provide creatives in Dubai and the region with the right tools to launch their design careers."

[PICTURED: Stefania Valenti, Managing Director of Istituto Marangoni (R)] Located in Gate 8 at the Dubai International Financial Centre, Istituto Marangoni Dubai offers undergraduate and professional courses in Fashion, Interior Design, Product Design and Visual Design.

Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, said: “It gives me great joy to welcome a globally renowned fashion and design school to Dubai. I see a great partnership in the making where the UAE and other MENA countries will have the advantage of a world-class design school while Istituto Marangoni will benefit from the untapped talent waiting to be harnessed.”