Istituto Marangoni Dubai hosted an exclusive press preview showcasing the work of its first graduating cohort in Fashion Design & Accessories. The presentation marks an important milestone for the university since its opening in 2022, offering media and industry guests an intimate view of the emerging talent shaping the next chapter of the institution’s creative community.
The showcase brought together five graduates whose collections reflect the depth of their personal research, technical experimentation, and creative development. Mentored by leading voices in the industry, including HELIOT EMIL, and supported by Istituto Marangoni’s expert faculty, the students unveiled a refined selection of looks exploring themes of identity, memory, transformation, and material experimentation.
To elevate the experience, guests received an exclusive fragrance curated specifically for the event in collaboration with Symrise, reflecting Istituto Marangoni Dubai’s commitment to creativity, innovation, and sensory excellence.
The graduating designers – Frederico Chiminazzo Assumpcao, Iva Ajtoski, Khadija Kalla, Ibrahim Yakubu, and Sara El Youssef – introduced the first reveal of their final-year collections, shaped through months of iterative design exploration.
Designer Collection Highlights
Frederico Chiminazzo Assumpcao – JetStream
Frederico’s collection draws on the emotional and visual language of aviation, inspired by his father’s career as a pilot. JetStream translates fluidity, aerodynamic structure, and sophisticated motion into garments that echo the dynamic movement of air. The pieces embody a balance between personal heritage and engineered form, with silhouettes that reference the jetstream effect through shape, rhythm, and flow.
Iva Ajtoski – Ajtoski
Iva’s collection explores the creative struggle between artistic obsession and the journey of overcoming it, inspired by the work of her grandfather, a sculptor. Blending emotional narrative with craft, Ajtoski examines the tension between internal pressure and creative liberation. The looks document her evolution through third year, using sculptural influences to navigate memory, identity, and artistic inheritance.
Khadija Kalla – 56
Rooted in the storytelling of autumn, 56 is named after the 10th month of the year – October – when change settles in with both fear and hope. Influenced by film, music, and literature, including Dead Poets Society, the collection presents two tragic-hero characters whose intertwined narratives explore giving and taking, selflessness and selfishness. Using curtain fabric sourced from her mother’s hometown in South Africa, Khadija integrates unconventional materials to highlight how fashion engages with other industries. Antler motifs derived from springbok antlers reinforce the theme of fractured unity between her characters.
Ibrahim Yakubu – Hana
Hana, meaning “flower,” symbolizes purity and new beginnings. Inspired by the expressive, energetic language of street style, Ibrahim merges floral symbolism with architectural garment construction. Through embroidery, leatherwork, and structural detailing, the collection communicates a journey of growth, strength, and metamorphosis – inviting the wearer to bloom into their fullest form.
Sara El Youssef – Gilded Tension
Sara’s collection investigates the interplay between reality and illusion through layered construction, pointed shapes, and honeycomb manipulation. Gilded Tension uses dimensional surfaces to build silhouettes that conceal and reveal, exploring body insecurities and the tension between what is seen and what is hidden. The repetition of sharp lines and layered forms evokes a sense of shifting perception, blurring the boundary between structure and softness.
Supporting the designers’ creative visions, footwear for the showcase was provided by Istituto Marangoni alumna Nish Shewak, reflecting the school’s strong and active alumni network within the region.
We are incredibly proud to present the first cohort of graduates from Istituto Marangoni Dubai. These students have worked hard and stayed dedicated to their passion. This milestone marks an important chapter for our institution and reflects our commitment to nurturing talent in the region. Supporting a new generation of creatives is at the heart of our mission.
As Istituto Marangoni Dubai continues expanding its academic and creative ecosystem, the first graduating cohort represents a significant moment in the institution’s growth, demonstrating the quality, diversity, and perspective of the region’s emerging designers.