The Sounds of New York Fashion Week
Written By Lauren Cook
Photo courtesy of W Magazine
New York Fashion Week has officially come to a close. This spring/summer season we saw a wide array of looks that stood out on their own, but they were enhanced even more by their musical accompaniment. The runaway is often dependent on these music choices to help convey the theme of the collection. Here are past runaway shows that we believe best used music to further illustrate its ideas.
PYER MOSS
Photo courtesy of Vogue
Held in Weeksville, New York, one of the first free black communities in America, the Pyer Moss SS19 collection sought to celebrate black history, style, and culture. The show featured an all-black gospel choir that sang tunes from the likes of Donna Hathaway, Aretha Franklin, and Stevie Wonder. The show opened up with the choir singing the song “Be Real Black For Me”, establishing right off the beat that this collection was a love letter to blackness. The songs following were soothing, matching the airy and light feel of the clothes presented.
TELFAR
Photo courtesy of Vogue
By far one of the most innovative uses of music in the fashion scene, Telfar Clemens wants the audience to hear how his collection “sounds.” Clemens traded in the runway for a stage where the singers, also wearing items from the collection, were just as central to the scene as the models that paraded around them. The collection features original music from a variety of artists like Moses Sumney, Ian Isaiah and Selah Marley. The essence of the collection is a dedication to the American jazz and rock scene. The idea is a continuation of his last season, and it doesn’t seem like Telfar is planning on stopping his musical fashion world tour anytime soon.
Since music was all originally composed for Telfar’s show, it’s unavailable on streaming platforms. Instead, listen to this playlist featuring the artists who collaborated to make the show happen, and watch this behind the scenes video of the musical project coming together!
RALPH LAUREN
Photo courtesy of Vogue
This past fashion week runway marked Ralph Lauren’s 50th anniversary as a brand. Beyond being a celebration, the show was an ode to New York herself. Lauren was born in the Bronx, and it was in New York that he first created the label. The soundtrack was a direct reflection of the mood of the show, with the song “New York is My Home” by Dion & Paul Simon as the opening track. The next song to follow was “Where’s My Love” by SYML and Lily Kershaw. The calm and folksy acoustic ballad fit the soft Americana feel of the outfits being walked down the runway. The soundtrack then switched to a stringed instrumental, signaling a change from daywear to evening gowns and suits. The show then concluded with the upbeat folk tune “Homecoming”, furthering the theme of Americana and Lauren’s connection to New York.
Music in fashion shows is often overlooked, but the truth is that it’s an extremely integral part of the presentation. A lot more can be learned just by listening to the curated soundtrack, whether that be eliciting emotion to give the audience a better feel for the collection or more blatant song choices and lyricism. So, the next time you watch a fashion show, pay attention to the music playing in it. You may just end up discovering a deeper meaning in the garments.