Travis Scott to be honored at 2021 Parsons Benefit

Travis Scott will be honored by The New School’s Parsons School of Design at this year’s Parsons Benefit. 

Scott, plus designers Gabriela Hearst, Kerby Jean-Raymond, Macy’s Inc. CEO Jeff Gennette, former Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts and artist Carrie Mae Weems are being celebrated for their numerous contributions to design, entrepreneurship, retail, the arts, sustainability and social justice, and their commitment to helping the next generation of designers and artists. 

In a news release, Rachel Schreiber, the executive dean of The New School’s Parsons School of Design said, “We are thrilled to be honoring this diverse and creative group of leaders who are all visionaries in their respective industries, and for their deep commitment to the values that guide Parsons in everything we do.” 

Scott’s Cactus Jack Foundation is developing a fashion design program with Parsons. The “Highest in the Room” rapper formed the foundation last fall to help foster creativity and provide resources for the the youth. He’s given scholarships to students in his hometown of Houston and has a multiyear partnership with the city’s parks and education department. During a devastating snowstorm that hit Texas earlier this year, Scott’s foundation donated 50,000 hot meals and cases of bottled water to families suffering.

In a statement, Scott said he is “very excited to be receiving this honor from The New School and grateful to be a part of this group of innovators.” “I’ve always tried to fuse fashion, technology and the arts into everything I do,” he said. “These are all linked and a natural extension of my work. It has never been about specific brands or labels for me. It’s about the vision. It’s about making your own things, seeing what’s out there, and never compromising.”

The 72nd annual Parsons Benefit will be held June 15 at The Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York City’s Seaport District. It will also be streamed via the school’s website.