Fashion shows have always been immersive affairs, but today, the music on the runway is being composed with the same artistry as the clothes themselves. Designers are no longer just picking tracks—they’re scoring their collections like films, with each song intentionally selected to set a tone, evoke a mood, and shape the audience’s emotional response. At recent shows, a single track can shift an entire presentation from striking to cinematic, guiding both the models and the crowd through a multi-sensory narrative. From Paris to Milan, fashion’s appetite for auditory innovation has led to runway soundscapes that include live orchestras, unexpected remixes, and composers collaborating backstage. It’s a powerful reminder that fashion now moves in sync with pop culture—and that a show’s playlist is no longer background noise, but a signature of the brand’s identity.
Balenciaga Spring-Summer 2025
Balenciaga went full-on drama, transforming the runway into a surreal dinner party centered around an oversized dining table—a bold metaphor for indulgence. Models emerged in lingerie-inspired pieces, set to Jessica Rabbit’s sultry “Why Don’t You Do Right” (Amy Irving’s rendition from Who Framed Roger Rabbit), creating a mood that was both cheeky and seductive. The elongated table and intimate silhouettes hinted at a collision of luxury and satire.
Then came the twist. As the collection evolved, the music escalated into a pulsing remix of Britney Spears’ “Gimme More”, cheekily echoing fashion’s insatiable craving for novelty. The juxtaposition of cartoon nostalgia with early-2000s pop excess felt like Demna’s playful critique of fashion’s obsession with reinvention, cleverly remixing the past into something fresh and irreverent.
Prada Spring-Summer 2025
At the Fondazione Prada, the brand set its collection against a stark industrial backdrop, contrasting elegant tailoring with time-warped references. Think boxy coats, sculptural boots, and layered silhouettes that hinted at several decades at once—a conceptual archive rebuilt in real time.
The soundtrack mirrored this layered approach. Suicide’s gritty “Rocket USA” and Cosey Fanni Tutti’s experimental “Sophic Ripple” offered a minimalist edge, while Ennio Morricone’s “Sospesi nel cielo” and Para One’s “Liège” introduced cinematic grandeur. The result was a sonic dialogue between eras, where each song reframed the collection through a different lens—from post-punk austerity to orchestral beauty.
Gucci Fall-Winter 2025
Gucci leaned hard into romantic theatrics, commissioning composer Justin Hurwitz (of La La Land fame) to create a bespoke score that turned the runway into a living film. Flowing gowns, vibrant suiting, and whimsical accessories drew from Hollywood’s golden age, all wrapped in Gucci’s signature palette of bold colors and gleaming textures.
The entire show played like a visual symphony, blurring the line between cinema and runway. Gucci didn’t just show clothes—it told a story in widescreen.
Dior Men’s Fall-Winter 2025
Dior Men’s took a quietly radical approach, opting for refined tailoring softened by fluid shapes. Sculpted shoulders gave way to flowing lines, creating a wardrobe that felt at once classic and gently subversive.
The entire show was scored by a single piece: Michael Nyman’s “Time Lapse.” Its looping piano motif served as a meditative pulse, reinforcing the collection’s contemplative tone. By sticking to one track, Dior allowed the clothes to speak clearly—the music whispered instead of shouted, reinforcing the show’s understated elegance.
Versace Fall-Winter 2025
Versace brought the heat to a converted tram depot, electrifying the space with its signature mix of bold prints, shimmer, and silhouette-driven power dressing. The vibe? Unapologetic glamour with a defiant edge, straight from the archives and retooled for now.
The music matched the energy: Chalk’s “Static,” Sworn Virgins’ “Burning Off My Clothes,” Dry Cleaning’s “Strong Feelings,” Shared System’s “Adulterio,” and Nightbus’ “Mirrors” surged through the venue. Each track underscored a shift in the show’s energy—gritty, hypnotic, and unrelenting. The runway felt less like a performance and more like an after-hours club where fashion owned the dance floor.
Saint Laurent Spring-Summer 2025
Saint Laurent looked to its roots, returning to the house’s iconic tuxedo tailoring, but sharpened for today’s silhouette. Nipped-in waists, a monochromatic palette, and the occasional flash of metallic created a mood that was refined, restrained, and razor-sharp.
An original score by Sebastian underpinned this aesthetic with smoky restraint. The sound stayed hushed and elegant, evoking midnight intrigue and minimalist drama. With every look, Saint Laurent proved that power can lie in precision, and that less doesn’t mean less impact.
Louis Vuitton Men’s Fall-Winter 2025
Pharrell Williams’ Louis Vuitton continues to be a melting pot of culture, music, and craftsmanship. Staged inside a luminous space at the Louvre, the show fused streetwear, varsity classics, and luxury detailing into a globally resonant statement.
The soundtrack opened with a bold nod to gaming culture—“One-Winged Angel” from Final Fantasy VII—before segueing into SEVENTEEN’s “Bad Influence” and The Weeknd’s “Timeless” featuring Playboi Carti. The mix spanned geek nostalgia to global pop, perfectly mirroring Pharrell’s inclusive, future-facing vision for the brand.
Givenchy Fall-Winter 2025
Givenchy offered a refined collection built on structured cuts, unexpected volume, and delicate embellishments. It balanced heritage and edge, anchoring the house’s legacy while nudging the aesthetic forward.
Frédéric Sanchez orchestrated a mood-rich soundtrack, blending The Charles Mingus Jazz Workshop’s “Haitian Fight Song” with Trentemøller’s “Vamp,” Nicolas Jaar & Büşra Kayıkçı’s “The Middle of Nowhere (Jaar Rework),” and Margaret Dygas’ “Quinte.” The mix of jazz and experimental electronica reflected the collection’s tension: past vs. present, structure vs. emotion.
Kenzo Men’s Fall-Winter 2025
Kenzo took viewers on a journey—rooted in tradition, but constantly moving forward. With the Eiffel Tower in the background, silhouettes blended Japanese precision with Western streetwear, layering cultural motifs into a seamless, wearable narrative.
Instead of a playlist, Kenzo opted for a live cello performance by Erik Friedlander. The minimalist score gave the show a sense of quiet gravity, allowing the details to emerge slowly. It was a reminder that music doesn’t have to shout to leave an impression—sometimes, subtlety hits hardest.
Music on the runway has moved beyond the role of supporting act. It’s now a core component of storytelling, whether through a nostalgic cartoon tune flipped on its head or an orchestral score that adds cinematic weight. Soundtracks don’t simply support the clothes—they guide the mood, set the pace, and leave a trace. As fashion stretches beyond the visual, music becomes a tool of intention, shaping how collections are not just seen but understood.
