Stating the above, Mahdi Afzali, the managing director of Institute for Development of Iranian Contemporary Art, said participation of international and Italian university scholars in the 8th Fashion and Clothing Festival last year was a great leap forward in relations, adding that their presence helped give a new lease of life to the promotion, development and growth of Iranian fashion industry in the port city of Chabahar.

Afzali said his institute will do everything at its disposal to promote and broaden cultural ties between the two friendly countries: Iran and Italy have had great diplomatic, cultural and economic relations. It makes perfect sense to further these commonalities in other fields as well. Iran’s Culture Ministry has a duty to make efforts to that end. We must develop cultural and artistic ties. We have already implemented 15 joint projects with Italy. They include close cooperation in biennials and international expositions.

مهدی افضلی

He further said: Italy is a developed country. Iran is also a developing nation. There are still barriers along the way, but we are doing everything possible to catch up with the developed world.

In conclusion, Afzali said: Iran and Italy enjoy friendly ties. The expectation is for the two countries to also broaden cooperation in the fashion industry. Iran has a rich background in clothing and fashion. Italy can help reform and fix the remaining problems and globalize the Iranian fashion industry.

مهدی افضلی2

The international section of the 8th edition of Fashion and Clothing Festival was held last February in Chabahar. Over 16 countries from Asia and Europe took part in the four-day annual event.