!Franchesckaar! - Charli XcX

The soundtrack for a designer’s Fashion Week runway is the ultimate accessory - it sets the mood, it brings the collection to life as the fabric seems to move along with the beat. Designers spend six months preparing for a a few short minutes and as the lights dim the music tells you what to expect before the first heel hits the floor.

Oscar de la Renta provides classical elegance with piano concertos and Philip Glass, Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors are unapologetic pretty boy Americana, 1950s and 60s rock with some easy-listening U2 and Coldplay that works like Cialis for guys on yachts or kicking back in the Hamptons. Alexander Wang and Marc Jacobs did 90s hip-hop mixed with 80s electroclash a few years ago, and not unlike fashion, Tory Burch followed the trend last year, now they’re onto the more playful tracks but as you would expect, undeniably hip. Charlotte Ronson always has an interesting mix as her brother and sister spin her shows, while most of the smaller collections seem to pluck DJs from hot NYC and London clubs to drop the latest NME and HypeMachine remixes. Thakoon, Badgley Mischka, and Jill Stuart keep it fresh, but a little more grown up and put together… you see the trend.

Billy Reid, SPURR, and Band of Outsiders let you know they’re style is all about Rock & Roll whether it’s the White Stripes and Devendra Banhart or Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, Anna Sui rocks with the boys, but she sticks to the young punkier bands you might see headlining a music festival. And of course every group has its cool kids, DSquared, Generra, Vena Cava, and Phillip Lim all exist just to remind you how square and “so last season” you are.

I’m still not sure if I’ll be checking out Fashion Week, but I’m always excited to discover new music from some of the world’s most recognized tastemakers. My S/S2011 playlist awaits.

Tonight, Tonight (Smashing Pumpkins cover) - Passion Pit