Check out our video! The Baltimore Design School community is a vibrant and diverse cross-section of professional designers, independent artists, and creative visionaries. At the end of the school year, one community member and champion of the BDS mission sponsored an extraordinary opportunity for 12 tenth-grade students—four each from CTE pathways Fashion Design, Graphic Design, […]

Check out our video!

The Baltimore Design School community is a vibrant and diverse cross-section of professional designers, independent artists, and creative visionaries. At the end of the school year, one community member and champion of the BDS mission sponsored an extraordinary opportunity for 12 tenth-grade students—four each from CTE pathways Fashion Design, Graphic Design, and Architecture—to travel to Miami and experience the 2026 Dolce & Gabbana exhibit before it closed on June 14.

BDS Fashion teacher Dawn Harrell and Graphic Design teacher Jenny De La Cruz led the experience, preparing students for what they would encounter and coaching them on professional expectations while traveling. For many students, this was their first time flying and staying in a hotel. For some, it was their first trip outside of Maryland.

“The first day in Miami set the tone for the visit when, by happenstance, our students received a warm and inspiring welcome from Istituto Marangoni Miami, the Miami college for fashion and design,” explained Ms. Harrell. “They had the opportunity to meet faculty members, learn about the college’s programs, and view student work. Seeing the creativity, craftsmanship, and professional-level projects on display gave our designers a glimpse into future possibilities within the creative industries.”

Not far from the college was D.A.S.H. (Design and Architecture Senior High), where Mx. De La Cruz attended high school. It was especially meaningful to visit a campus dedicated to design, architecture, and the arts, knowing that Baltimore Design School looked to D.A.S.H. as a model when developing its own curriculum.

Later that day, the group explored the Design District, Jungle Plaza, and Wynwood, taking in world-class fashion, architecture, graphic design, luxury retail, public art, and vibrant murals. Students experienced firsthand how creativity, business, culture, and innovation intersect in real-world environments.

Day two of the excursion was equally memorable. Mx. De La Cruz shared, “Our scholars had a blast visiting the Dolce & Gabbana exhibit, where we saw gorgeous gowns, elaborate narratives woven into suits and dresses, and amazing themed rooms that left us in awe.

We marveled at the walls, flooring, fabrics, and even the lighting in each intentionally curated space.

Afterwards, we visited the DIOR Café and sampled luxurious drinks and fresh fruit. We also spent time at South Beach, enjoying the ocean view, sea breeze, and a brief game of volleyball before wrapping up the evening with dinner at Big Pink, where we enjoyed famously large portions and delicious food.”

On their final day, the group visited Superblue Miami, featuring “50,000 square feet of unique immersive experiences by world-renowned artists.” It was the perfect way to conclude an unforgettable adventure.

“One thing that made me smile,” said Ms. Harrell, “was overhearing several of our scholars say that Miami is now on their list of places they’d love to visit again. Many also added Istituto Marangoni Miami to their list of potential colleges.”

Another highlight, according to Ms. Harrell, was visiting 1800 Lucky, where many students stepped outside their comfort zones and sampled a variety of Asian cuisines, including Thai dishes and other cultural specialties. The group also enjoyed some of Miami’s highest-rated gelato while exploring the city.

Most importantly, our students represented Baltimore Design School with curiosity, professionalism, openness, and respect. We are incredibly proud of them and look forward to creating more opportunities that expand learning beyond the classroom and inspire future pathways in the creative industries.