With the school year brought to an abrupt halt in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, students around the world are coming to terms with the fact their graduation ceremonies may be slightly more subdued than they previously promised to be.

Platforms like TikTok, however, are keen to make sure the Class of 2020 goes out with the bang it deserves, by organising an online celebration featuring appearances from Barack and Michelle Obama, Bad Bunny, Yara Shahidi, and more. 

Also intent on celebrating 2020’s graduating students is Solange Knowles, whose creative agency, Saint Heron, has partnered with Parsons School of Design to curate an immersive virtual festival intended to give the New York institution’s new gen creatives the send-off they deserve. Knowles’ involvement in the project is no surprise, given she has close ties with the school was previously honoured at its annual gala in 2018, attending in a jumpsuit designed by former student Shanel Campbell. 

Though details of what the digital celebration will actually entail are thin on the ground right now, it has been confirmed that artist Jacobly Satterwhite will create a 3D ‘virtual environment’ entitled Meronymy, and a host of talks, film screenings, URL lectures and workshops will also take place. Keep your eyes peeled for more.

Revisit Solange's spring/summer 2018 Dazed cover shoot in the gallery above.