Rome-based Valeria Mangani, who has perfected and created an array of designs in such areas as apparels, bags, accessories and jewels, told Gulf Times that “a move in that direction ( establishing a fashion school) is going on and the institute is likely to be a reality, most probably in the first half of 2018”.
She said a number of ‘quality and useful’ lessons in fashion and designing would be imparted to the country's fashion buffs by well-experienced professionals from Italy. Mangani said she is quite optimistic that Qatar would do well as a fashion destination in coming years as there is enormous interest in its people.
The famed Italian designer, who has excelled in diverse areas of fashion over the years is hopeful that the school would be offering a series of activities round the year as a number of Qatari men and women are evincing interest in acquiring better knowledge and information in different areas of fashion . "This is becoming more evident from the presence of a large number of top brands in Doha," she said.
Fashion, said Mangani, is a 360-degree umbrella but a large number of people feel it deals only with apparels and costumes. "It also covers such areas as bags and similar personal leather accessories, quality footwear, writing instruments, and jewels among others."
Mangani is extremely happy at the response her session received at the Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition being held in Doha (November 3-7). “There was an impressive turnout of young fashion lovers and my inquiries found some of the locals want to deliver specific apparels to suit the needs and requirements of the region's populace. With a little more exposure, experience and better skills the local students could also launch quality costumes that could make a mark even in the international market," feels the famous designer.
While replying to queries about the Italian fashion world, Mangani said though some of the local connoisseurs know it too well that the institutes in Rome are deeply rooted in traditions and culture, they are not exactly familiar with the day- today developments in the industry there. "As a result, a perceivable gap exists and that is expected to be bridged with the arrival of a fashion school of international standards in Doha," she said while revealing her plans for a show involving some of the upcoming Italian brands next summer.
The designer said her country has a colourful record in the fashion arena since the Renaissance and its influence is felt all over the European and Mediterranean regions. "Now, more than 2.8mn people are employed at different levels in the fashion industry,” she said adding that since the early 70s , a large number of modern trends have originated from Milan.
Along with Mangani, Marco Coretti, who had earlier served as the Vice-President of the Chamber of High Fashions, is also in Doha. Chamber of High Fashions, run by the Ministry of Economic Development of Italy, is a reputable institution, providing support to people at different levels of the fashion world.
Valeria Mangani and Marco Coretti in Doha
A prestigious fashion school of international standards would be opened in Qatar next year, a top visiting Italian designer has said.
