Istituto Marangoni was founded in Milan, in 1935, by Giulio Marangoni to train professionals and technicians specializing in the field of fashion; and in this century it expanded opening new schools in London, Paris, Shanghai, Florence, Shenzhen, and Mumbai that have launched high profile fashion careers such as those of Domenico Dolce, Franco Moschino, Alessandro Sartori and Julie de Libran of Sonia Rykiel. The Group has recently announced the opening of its first school in America, precisely in Miami with the aim to merge “Italian expertise with American style and creativity”.
Istituto Marangoni found the perfect 21,900 sq ft location among the more than 130 art galleries, showrooms, creative and architectural industries, luxury fashion stores, antique dealers, restaurants, and cafes of one of Miami’s most dynamic quarters that over the last few decades rose to worldwide fame as a prime destination for the arts, design and fashion, the Design District. Led by Hakan Baykam, as President of the School, Pablo Arbelaez, as school director, and Massimo Casagrande, as Director of Education, European tutors and “prominent local professionals” anchored by ‘Made in Italy’ values, will deliver the course offered by the school to US and Latin American students. These will include: a two year Associate of Arts in Fashion Studies, four year Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design, Fashion Styling, Fashion Business, a Master’s in Fashion and Luxury Brand Management, many short courses, and continuing education workshops and seminars throughout the academic year. The impressive Advisory Board of Istituto Marangoni in Miami has among its members: Silvia Tcherassi, Wen Zhou, Esteban Cortazar, Craig Robins, Carlo D’Amario, Oscar Feldenkreis, Karla Martinez, Milan Vukmirovic and Paula Cademartori.
Miami was chosen as the first American location because of its unique cultural elements, such as sustainability and innovation, and its rapid growth in the world of design and art, but also for its vicinity to Latin America. Istituto Marangoni stated that the city’s Latin roots “made it the perfect choice to develop a fashion and design hub that will soon be valued around the world.” Roberto Riccio, Chief Executive of Istituto Marangoni Group said: “Bringing Istituto Marangoni to the Americas satisfies a long-term vision to support and develop youth interested in fashion and design from all over the world. We are thrilled by the opportunity to give emerging talent in the Americas a platform to hone their skills and realize their true potential in the industry.”
Ilona Catani Scarlett