In a bid to strengthen cultural ties between Italy and Bahrain, the College of Art & Design of the Royal University for Women is sending a delegation of students to Italy for a week-long training program. The students will have the opportunity to learn the art of transforming raw materials into exquisite textiles at Lyria Academy, located in the heart of the Italian textile industry in Prato. Riccardo Bruni, the creative force behind Lyria, is known for his unique and timeless fabrics that blend tradition, experimentation, and emotion.
Bruni’s aesthetic, inspired by nature and the impermanence of life, has caught the attention of the fashion world, leading Lyria to collaborate with top designers and fashion houses globally. The students participating in the program will work on developing original fabrics and patterns that incorporate Bahraini traditions, with guidance from the experts at Lyria. The best fabric created during the training will be awarded a prize, and the students will have the opportunity to showcase their work alongside Lyria’s excellence in an exhibition in 2025.
The Ambassador of Italy to Bahrain, Andrea Catalano, praised the strong cooperation between the Royal University for Women and the Italian Embassy, emphasizing the values and traditions behind Italian fashion and textile. Catalano also highlighted Italy’s commitment to research and development in environmentally friendly technologies to produce high-quality textiles that are essential for the success of the Italian fashion industry. The collaboration between Bahraini designers and Italian experts on this project reflects a shared dedication to these values.
The partnership between the Royal University for Women and the Italian Embassy in Manama holds great significance, according to Prof. Jean Pierre El Asmar, the Academic Vice President of the university. He emphasized the importance of the university’s collaboration with the Embassy at various levels, including hosting the Center for Italian Language and Culture “Grazia Deledda.” This partnership not only fosters educational opportunities for students but also promotes cultural exchange and mutual understanding between Italy and Bahrain.
The training program in Italy offers a valuable learning experience for the students from the College of Art & Design at the Royal University for Women. By immersing themselves in the Italian textile industry and working alongside experts at Lyria Academy, the students have the opportunity to expand their skills and creativity in fabric design. The focus on blending Bahraini traditions with Italian expertise allows for a unique collaboration that showcases the rich cultural heritage of both countries.
As the students embark on their journey to Italy, they carry with them the excitement and enthusiasm for learning and creating. The support from the Italian Embassy and the collaboration with Lyria Academy provide a platform for these young designers to explore new concepts and techniques in textile design. The experience gained during the training program will not only benefit the students personally but also contribute to the cultural exchange and collaboration between Italy and Bahrain in the field of fashion and design.
