5 runway-inspired playlists to tune into

A few weeks ago, I attended my first-ever fashion show. Designers Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla were showcasing their latest collection. The show was a success, but what stayed with me beyond the vibrant colours, rich embroidery, and Siddhant Chaturvedi’s ‘sher wala’ walk was the soundtrack that tied it all together—an upbeat blend of Indian and Western pop that made for a high-energy evening. I thought: How important is music during a fashion show? What goes into curating the music? 

Music sets the tone for a fashion show, and music that complements the show’s concept, theme, and style, enhances the set and gives the models a rhythm to walk the ramp on. According to Universal Studios, “Music for fashion week varies from the attention-grabbing and dynamic, to the delicate and sensual. You'll need a soundtrack that captures the featured clothing's attitude and spirit.” 

In the academic paper ‘About the Fashion Show Music’, Hai Yan Guo writes, “Music is important to the success of a fashion show—its importance lies in the shape, space, stereo sound effect, and emotional atmosphere, creating artistic conception and sound environment for performance. It builds the participation of visual and auditory, and offers a complete visual feast for the audience.” 

Here’s a round-up of playlists and sound tracks you can use for your next fashion show. We promise there’s something for everyone. 

RuPaul’s Drag Race-Runway Themes 

RuPaul’s Drag Race-Runway Themes is a list of 23 songs that have been used for each season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. With lyrics like, “Cover girl, put that bass in your walk. Head to toe, let your whole body talk” from Cover Girl, and songs such as Catwalk and A Little Bit of Love among others, the playlist screams you! It’s your walk, own it, and let the music speak as you flaunt the designs you’re wearing. 

ABBA

ABBA has some of the greatest soundtracks to walk the ramp to. The playlist, which includes songs such as Dancing Queen, Gimme Gimme Gimme, When I Kissed the Teacher, and many more, is perfect for a fashion show that is all about a boho-chic aesthetic, vibrant colours, and summery tones. The playlist is ideal for those models and designers, who want the audiences to sing along, and be in tune with the show’s energy. 

Gucci Radio 

The Gucci Radio playlist curated by Kandra, an independent audio-visual agency, is iconic, peppy and chic. The playlist includes over 1,200 songs by various artists across countries and genres. Find songs suitable for your show; we’d definitely recommend Stay Away by Carly Rae Jepsen and Lie Like This. 

Mint India 

Finally, a playlist with India’s biggest hits. Mint India is a spunky, fun, and quirky playlist with a mix of indie-pop, Bollywood, and western pop songs you can dance to, walk to, and sing to whenever you want. All the models out there, dance your heart out in your lehengas and desi wear to Summer High by AP Dhillon, Banna Re, or Bombay Dreams, among others. 

The Model Life—Ethnic Music for Ramp Walks and Fashion 

If you want a deep, experimental, and artsy experience at a fashion show, The Model Life playlist is for you. It is a beautiful mix of Hindustani and western classical, with a few pop beats added to it. The music is perfect for a slow-paced fashion show, rooted in tradition and aiming to express the depth of the creations.