LIFESTYLE Rihanna To Be Honored by Parsons School of Design: 'I Feel a Deep Connection to the School'

New York’s Parsons School of Design will be celebrating their 69th annual benefit by honoring one of their biggest fans: Rihanna.

From designers like Matthew Adam Dolan, Snow Xue Gao, and Melody Ya Jun Lin, the singer has championed the emerging careers of Parson’s most talented students. The institution’s benefit, in collaboration with The New School’s College of Performing Arts, recognizes individuals who empower young women on a global scale through leadership and self-expression. Along with Rihanna, Neiman Marcus and designer Eileen Fisher will also be recognized for their global achievements.

Like Rihanna’s previous university event where she received Harvard’s Humanitarian Award, Parsons will be celebrating the multihyphenate’s philanthropic successes. “I consistently find creative and exciting designs coming from Parsons alumni, so I feel a deep connection to the school,” Rihanna said in a release. “But, I am especially grateful that Parsons would recognize me for the work I’ve done in regards to philanthropy.”