ISTITUTO MARANGONI RIYADH AND KERING LAUNCH NEW INDUSTRY MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME, WITH MIRAL YOUSSEF, PRESIDENT OF KERING MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA, LEADING FIRST SESSION
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 26th October 2026: Istituto Marangoni Riyadh and Kering have launched a new industry mentorship program designed to connect students with senior leaders and specialists from across the global luxury group, further strengthening the University’s commitment to combining education with direct industry engagement.
Miral Youssef, President of Kering Middle East & Africa, led the first mentoring session with students at Istituto Marangoni Riyadh. The initiative will continue through a series of sessions featuring contributions from Kering stakeholders, giving students access to diverse perspectives and expertise from across the Group.
The mentorship reflects Istituto Marangoni’s wider educational approach, which combines academic learning with real work experience, industry projects, networking opportunities and engagement with leading professionals and companies. The Institute’s Riyadh presence was established to nurture local talent and create a bridge between Saudi culture and global opportunity, with programs spanning fashion, business, luxury management, communication and beauty.
Youssef kicked off the program with an in-person session introducing students to her career journey, perspectives on the evolving luxury landscape and approach to leadership, grounded in the values of vision, empathy, curiosity and authenticity. As part of the mentorship, she is guiding students through an industry-led strategic case study focused on the future of luxury desirability in Saudi Arabia, challenging them to think as brand strategists and explore how established luxury businesses can deepen their relevance among the Kingdom’s next generation of consumers, particularly Gen Z. Students will analyze brand positioning and the Saudi luxury consumer through market visits, online research, social media analysis and competitor benchmarking, before translating their findings into strategic ideas spanning retail experience, communication, community engagement and partnerships.
Anna Zinola, School and Education Director Istituto Marangoni Riyadh said, “At Istituto Marangoni, we believe strongly in giving students access to the people leading the industries they aspire to join. Our collaboration with Kering creates an important opportunity for students to engage directly with senior leaders and experts shaping the luxury industry globally and across the region.”
“Miral brings an exceptional combination of strategic leadership, regional understanding and a commitment to developing the next generation of talent. Her own career is a powerful reminder that ambition does not always follow a narrow or predictable path. Building a meaningful career requires the flexibility to learn, relearn, remain curious and stay open to where experience may lead. Hearing directly from a proven leader so deeply embedded in the region’s luxury industry gives our students an invaluable opportunity to deepen their understanding of this rapidly evolving market, the Saudi luxury consumer and the many ways their learning at Istituto Marangoni can translate into their future careers.”
Miral Youssef noted, “Mentoring is essential to nurturing the next generation of talent, and it is something deeply valuable for Kering and for me personally. It helps young talent build the confidence to think independently, stay curious and understand the people and cultures they are creating for. As leaders, we have a responsibility to share our experience and create opportunities, and just as importantly, to give the next generation the space to bring their own perspectives to the future of luxury. It is also a two-way exchange, and I look forward to learning from the students as much as I hope to inspire them.
Miral Youssef leads Kering’s strategic vision, growth and presence across the Middle East and Africa, drawing on extensive experience across both international and regional luxury. Since joining Kering in 2019, she has held senior leadership roles within the Group, following earlier positions with internationally recognized fashion houses in the UK and Chalhoub Group in the Middle East. Her expertise spans brand development, market positioning, retail and business development, underpinned by a strong understanding of local markets and a commitment to building authentic connections with communities and nurturing the next generation of talent, particularly women at the early stages of their careers.
Istituto Marangoni Riyadh, located at KAFD in the Riyadh Creative District (RCD), was established in partnership with the Ministry of Culture’s Fashion Commission. It forms part of Istituto Marangoni’s 90-year global education network, which today welcomes around 6,000 students from 108 countries annually and is ranked 45th among the world’s top 100 universities for Art & Design in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025. The Institute also works with a global network of more than 4,000 companies to connect students with internships and career opportunities. This close connection to industry, reinforced through initiatives such as the Kering mentorship program, gives students valuable perspective and practical guidance to turn their ambitions into meaningful careers.
Notes to Editors
For more information, please do not hesitate to contact:
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Helen Croft and Emma Barber
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