Italian Consulate and CUE Host Seminar on Interior Design and Fashion

The Catholic University in Erbil (CUE), in partnership with the Italian Consulate in Erbil and affiliated institutions, has launched a three-day seminar exploring the synergy between interior design and fashion. Titled Interior Design and Its Interaction with Fashion, the event brings international expertise to the heart of Kurdistan and serves as a bridge between Italian design excellence and Iraqi creativity.

H.E. Mr. Tommaso Sansone, Consul General of Italy in Erbil; Erbil Governor Mr. Omed Khoshnaw; and Dr. Nazar Shabila, President of the Catholic University in Erbil, during the opening ceremony at CUE. 2025 ©Catholic University in Erbil

The seminar opened with an official ceremony attended by prominent figures including His Excellency Mr. Tommaso Sansone, Consul General of Italy in Erbil; Erbil Governor Mr. Omed Khoshnaw; and CUE President Dr. Nazar Shabila. Their presence underscored the importance of cultural diplomacy and the potential for academic exchange to foster innovation in the region.

Prof. Giovanni Maione, Senior Architect from IUAD, delivering his presentation at the Catholic University in Erbil. 2025 ©Catholic University in Erbil

Leading the seminar is Professor Giovanni Maione, a senior architect and faculty member at the Istituto Universitario di Architettura e Design (IUAD) in Naples. With decades of experience in both interior architecture and fashion-driven spatial design, Prof. Maione is guiding students and professionals through lectures, discussions, and design workshops that demonstrate how aesthetics, materiality, and storytelling intersect across disciplines.

Attendees include CUE design students, architects, and creative professionals from across the region. The seminar aims to stimulate creative thinking, introduce cutting-edge design methodologies, and foster collaboration between European and Iraqi practitioners.

This initiative is part of a broader effort by the Italian Consulate to strengthen cultural and academic ties in the Kurdistan Region, aligning with Italy’s long-standing support for heritage, education, and the arts in Iraq.

By connecting local talent with global expertise, the seminar highlights CUE’s role as a growing hub for design and innovation in the region.