The Miami-based design school, Istituto Marangoni, has developed a comprehensive program of events to coincide with this week’s Art Basel Miami. This includes panel discussions, receptions, a design competition in partnership with an international furniture company, and a pop-up event in collaboration with a rap star and luxury retailer, The Webster.

The program begins with a talk and reception featuring fashion designer and beauty entrepreneur Francisco Costa, followed by a sustainability and innovation discussion between Vogue Brazil’s Editor in Chief Nô Mello, and Kate Minner, the VP of Marketing at Melissa. A cocktail reception hosted by Italian furniture house, Kartell, will announce a new design competition with Istituto Marangoni Miami and include an interview with John J. Jenkin, CEO of Kartell USA, about Italian design. The winner of the competition will have their product prototyped. The program concludes with a talk by rapper Kid Cudi and a party to launch a pop-up shop featuring Kid Cudi’s ready-to-wear design venture, Members of the Rage, in collaboration with The Webster.

Istituto Marangoni Miami will also honor Kid Cudi with an honorary Master’s degree in Fashion and Luxury Brand Management for his contributions to modern fashion and luxury. The Members of the Rage AW23 Collection will be on display at the school from December 4th-15th, with all sales proceeds going to the school’s scholarship fund.

In an interview with FashionUnited, Hakan Baykam, president and CEO of Istituto Marangoni Miami, discussed the relationship between fashion education and art, and the school’s commitment to connect students with influential brands and innovators. He explained that the Kid Cudi initiative and the Kartell competition are part of the school’s goal to provide students with real-world experiences and insights from industry leaders.