With what feels like an infinite amount of song choices, we can only begin to imagine the pressure of choosing the right track to accompany a runway show. For something that sets the tone for the entire show, it’s imperative for a brand to select a track that not only compliments the collection, but encapsulates its audience from the get-go. Classic vs. contemporary, lyrics vs. continuous beat, a chart topper vs. composing your own song; with so many options available, it seems almost too easy to get it wrong.

As a tribute to those that did get it right, we’re flicking through the fashion archives to find our top favourite runway music moments, where leading brands managed to level up their collections through a soundtrack. From Kanye West at Virgil Abloh’s debut show for Louis Vuitton, to lesser known tracks from this year such as Gucci’s Aria presentation, take a look at our favourites and scroll to the bottom to find a playlist featuring top tunes which have been featured on the runway.

LOUIS VUITTON MEN’S S/S 2019
Virgil Abloh’s debut runway for Louis Vuitton, showing at the Palais-Royale gardens for Paris Fashion Week. The 56-look collection, titled ‘Colour Theory’ saw models walking down a rainbow spectrum runway to the sound of Kanye Wests’ ‘I Thought About Killing You’. A rather fitting choice to include Kanye as the soundtrack of the show considering their long-lasting relationship, but an iconic moment none the less, and an all-encompassing show which went on to set the tone for Virgil at LV.

RAF SIMONS S/S 2019
Showing at a warehouse in the Montreuil suburbs of Paris for PFW, Raf returned to his roots of oversized, bright tailoring, ragged knits and punk-y elements including prints of the The Clash adorned on garments and safety pin accents. The music of course was a high energy techno track, titled IFTLOYL by Giant Swan.

MAISON MARGIELA S/S 2020
Everyone knows the show from THAT Leon Dame appearance and THAT Soulwax track. Despite the use of a modern dance track, the Galliano’s co-ed collection was actually inspired by figures from the past who fought for freedom, including physicist Marie Curie and WWII nurse Edith Cavell. “(Margiela SS20) is about remembrance, it’s about liberation, it’s about having a voice” says Galliano. It is and always will be one we remember.

GIVENCHY F/W 2012
Not quite the runway show but one that couldn’t go unmentioned. The campaign video shows behind the scenes footage of models dancing in the Givenchy F/W12 collection to a Cassius track remixed by Gesaffelstein. Riccardo Tisci did good.

GUCCI ARIA
The unveiling of Gucci’s Balenciaga-hacked Aria collection has undeniably been one of this year’s fashion highlights, with the collection becoming available (and then very quickly selling out) just this week. The online presentation and collection was a fresh, young take on the 100 year old brand. Was using Lil Pump’s ‘Gucci Gang’ track a devastatingly obvious choice or a stroke of genius? Who knows, but Vitalic’s ‘Waiting For The Stars’ feat. David Shaw and The Beat was the perfect way to end the show on a high.

PRADA MEN’S F/W 2021
Raf Simons’ second show alongside Miuccia Prada struck the perfect balance of Pradaness and Rafness. Slim suits, bomber jackets and those pocket glove accessories were all key moments from the furry-walled runway. The soundtrack was also so good that the models were dancing to it on the livestream too.

CELINE THE DANCING KID
In a celebration of youth culture and a nod to the e-boys and skaters of the world, Hedi Slimane presents The Dancing Kid at the Circuit du Castellet racing track in Marseille. As a tribute to the Gen-Z youth, the collection displayed an effortlessly cool montage of oversized knitted cardigans, chunky beanie hats, plaid shirts and denim jackets emblazoned with racing badges. It only makes sense for the trap beat ‘The Call Me Tiago’ by Tiagz to accompany the collection, remixed by CELINE of course.

BALENCIAGA S/S 2020
Balenciaga loves drama, and so do we. The track by BFRND is perfectly curated alongside the SS20 show, where Demna Gvasalia sends models around an entirely blue auditorium that more resembled a UN meeting than a catwalk show. Classic Balenciaga themes of sharp blazers, extreme silhouettes and high necklines feature throughout, with the intensity of the music adding to the already pronounced collection.

LOUIS VUITTON CRUISE 2018
Nicolas Ghesquiére’s admiration for Japanese culture served as inspiration for the Louis Vuitton 2018 cruise collection, which was presented at The Miho Museum just outside of Kyoto, Japan. It was clear to see the Asian references throughout the line-up, from bold Hokusai-like prints to warrior armour. The track, ‘Territory’ by The Blaze injects energy to the show, bringing each element from the setting to the garments into one cohesive presentation.

DIOR MEN’S S/S 2019
For his Spring/Summer 2019 debut for Dior, Kim Jones collaborated with the likes of Yoon Ambush, Matthew Williams and pop culture artist KAWS for a collection that delivered on pastel tailored elegance, playful prints and refined lace detailing with a hint of Jones’ streetwear roots. The Trainspotting classic ‘Born Slippy’ perhaps gave a toast to the brand’s new beginning as well as injecting energy into Dior’s rich, prestigious heritage.