The Embassy, in January 2025 had organized and hosted a virtual exchange between academia from Fashion Industries in the two countries to build bridges between two leading fashion institutes and academic collaboration.

From Italy, Professor Madame Romana Andò, Head of Fashion Department at ‘La Sapienza University’, Rome whereas from Pakistan, Madame Shawana Khalil Professor Fashion & Textile Design at ‘Pakistan Institute of Fashion & Design’ (PIFD) Lahore, held constructive dialogue on bilateral linkages and exchanges in fashion and textile design.

Embassy is pleased to announce a substantial participation from Italy at ‘1^st Int’l Design Conference’ themed “Fashion & Global Trade”, PIFD is hosting at Lahore (24–26 Nov 2025). The Event offers a key platform to advance academic cooperation, cultural exchange and innovation in fashion and design industry.

Featuring at the Event, and enriching the dialogue as Keynote Speakers, are three distinguished academicians from the Industry, namely Professor Ando from ‘La Sapienza’, Dr. Paolo Franzo Assistant Professor ‘University of Florence’ and Alberto Saccavini, Consultant & Lecturer ‘Milan Fashion Institute’.

The engagement will pave way for establishing deep & diverse, long-term academic linkages particularly towards ‘Joint Master’s Degree Programme’ between La Sapienza & PIFD through active support of Prof. Ando whereas Prof. Franzo is scheduled to deliver lectures for students of ‘Ph. D Design’ at PIFD which launched Pakistan’s first doctoral program in the field last month.

La Sapienza is considered among leading global education and research centres and is well over 700 years old, founded in 1303. With 122,000 students & 8000 Staff, it is among largest institutes in Europe spreading across 110 acres, reflects the growing vibrancy of Pakistan–Italy ties within the creative sector.

Growing cooperation in design sector is reflective of soaring USD1.14Bn bilateral trade of which textile exports from Pakistan were $750mn in 2025. Italy is Pakistan’s 4^th largest export destination with $400.27mn in first 4 months of FY 26. Embassy remains committed to creating opportunities to expand Pak-Italy relations through design-led innovation and fashion collaboration.

Pakistan Embassy Rome,

November 6, 2025.