Sounds of the Runway: Florence and the Machine, Feist Soundtrack Spring 2012 Collections
In many cases, the songs of Spring 2012’s runways were more progressive and interesting than the styles the designers were introducing for the season. As always, a handful of select beatmakers, like Michel Gaubert and Frédéric Sanchez, handle the biggest shows, curating a specific mood and aural environment for each event. For Spring 2012, beat-driven electronics, both new (Gui Borotto, Little Dragon, Planningtorock) and new-sounding (Aphex Twin, James Murphy’s take on a synth classic) littered the catwalks. But dreamy females like Florence Welch, Feist, a reimagined Stevie Nicks, and U.K. newcomer Emeli Sandé also christened the fashion stages, with Welch performing her recent single “What The Water Gave Me” live at Chanel’s spectacle. We visit some of the catwalk’s most prominent and memorable songs for the Spring 2012 collections:
1. Planningtorock: “Living It Out”
Heard At: Suno.
Fashion Cred: Planningtorock’s music was also on the runways at Paco Rabanne’s sci-fi show; Janine Rostron, the Berlin-based singer who records as Planningtorock, attracts her own share of style attention thanks to her dramatic image – which includes prosthetics.
Hear It Now:
2. Oppenheimer Analysis: “Devil’s Dancers (James Murphy 2011 Version)“
Heard At: Gerlan Jeans and Mandy Coon
Fashion Cred: James Murphy and designer Mandy Coon used to be married. He is still one of the New York City fashion scene’s most in-demand event DJs.
Hear It Now: Hear Murphy’s “Beats In Space” (featuring this version) here.
3. M83 feat. Zola Jesus: “Intro”
Heard At: Prabal Gurung (read his Rolling Stone interview here).
Fashion Cred: Nika Roza Danilova, a.k.a. Zola Jesus, is gaining traction with the fashion editorial world, thanks to her dramatic stage ensembles and newly bleached-out hair.
Hear It Now: Song |Show
4. These New Puritans: “We Want War”
Heard At: Roberto Cavalli
Fashion Cred: These New Puritans more or less got their illustrious start on Dior Homme’s Fall 2007 runway – creative director Hedi Slimane is a fan.
Hear It Now:
5. Little Dragon – “Ritual Union”
Heard At: Tommy Hilfiger
Fashion Cred: The track “Nightlight” was also played on Paul Smith’s runway this season and Mulberry snagged the group for the latest installation of the brand’s Mixtape Tour.
Hear It Now: Song | Show
6. Metronomy: “The Bay (Erol Alkan’s Extended Rework)”
Heard At: Moschino
Fashion Cred: U.K. producer Erol Alkan seems to be a hit with the Milan style set; his inventive remixes and collaborations are a favorite of Jil Sander designer Raf Simons.
Hear It Now: Song | Show
7. Sleigh Bells: “Tell ‘Em”
Heard At: Alexander Wang Spring 2012
Fashion Cred: Sleigh Bells frontwoman Alexis Krauss hangs with a fashionable crowd, often DJing swanky downtown parties. Her band also played Lacoste’s Fashion’s Night Out party this past fashion week.
Hear It Now: Show – or download the mix (also featuring M.I.A.)
8. Creep: “Days”
Heard At: Monique Lhuillier
Fashion Cred: Lauren Flax and Lauren Dillard, the women behind production duo Creep, have already earned accolades for their tenebrous visual while a stylish black and white video collaboration with Nina Sky earned them heavy buzz.
Hear It Now: Song | Show
9. John Maus: “Believer“
Heard At: Sportmax
Fashion Cred: In their Designer Playlist for Rolling Stone, Costello Tagliapietra hailed Maus as one of their favorite artists.
Hear It Now: Song | Show
10. Aphex Twin: “Icct Hedral (Philip Glass Instrumental)”
Heard At: Balenciaga
Fashion Cred: Aphex Twin’s twisted and intelligent beats continue to be a runway favorite; every season selections from his vast body of work pepper the catwalk, much to the enjoyment of front row audiophiles and to the chagrin of elitist IDM fans.
Hear It Now: Song | Show
11. Emeli Sandé: “Heaven”
Heard At: Christian Dior
Fashion Cred: The up and coming U.K. singer already scored an enviable crossover gig playing Emporio Armani’s Fashion’s Night Out in New York this year.
Hear It Now: Song | Show
12. Deep Dish vs. Stevie Nicks: “Dreams”
Heard At: Versace
Fashion Cred: Everyone from Gucci’s Frida Giannini to Anna Sui calls Stevie Nicks their ultimate style inspiration. The modern gypsy look is based primarily on the legend herself.
Hear It Now: Song | Show
13. MNDR: “Cut Me Out”
Heard At: Stella McCartney
Fashion Cred: The distinctive oversized eyewear sported by MNDR’s Amanda Warner also happens to be a runway trend this season. Unsurprisingly, the brassy track has already proven popular at fashion parties.
Hear It Now : Song | Show
14. Feist: “A Commotion”
Heard At: Valentino
Fashion Cred: Leslie Feist charms with her kittenish personal style, seen in her videos and onstage. Her latest look channels perennial French fashion icon and singer, Jane Birkin.
Hear It Now: Song | Show
15. Florence and the Machine: “What The Water Gave Me”
Heard At: Performed live at Chanel
The Gift That Keeps On Giving: Florence Welch and Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld enjoy a singer/music relationship; he recently styled her for a full-fledged Jazz Age themed shoot .
Stream the Chanel Spring 2012 runway show, including Florence and the Machine’s performance:
Related
• Review: Feist – Metals
• Florence Welch On Being A Pop Witch And Her Favorite London Fashion
• Five In A Flash: Paris Fashion Week Cheat Sheet
• As Spring 2012 Shows Unfold, Music Heightens An Ordinary Mood