Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week runs from September 6th through 13 in New York City  You know that sick beat that gives you that extra bounce in your step? Well, just as your walk (or drive) wouldn’t be the same without a killer soundtrack, the same goes for a fashion show. 

In today’s age of media, while the fashion is still the main focus, shows have become productions that rival Cirque de Soleil, utilizing makeup, lighting, staging, and most importantly, music to create an experience around the collection.  Whether it’s Lady Gaga’s Shieße at Thierry Mugler or Marilyn Manson’s The Beautiful People at Alexander McQueen, the music can set or contrast the tone for the entire show or draw attention to a specific piece.  While artists often use fashion week as a way to debut new music, it is not uncommon to make a strategically placed throwback, as did Jill Stuart (Weezer- Say It Ain’t So).  This soundtrack, when executed well, plays a very important role in the audience’s understanding of and reaction to the collection.

Nowadays, every major designer, from Marc Jacobs to Proenza Schouler, has harnessed the power of the Internet to live stream (and further market) their presentations to the masses, allowing everyone a glimpse inside the most exciting fashion moments of the year.  As in previous years, this Fashion Week should be a comprehensive display of fashion ranging from classic American (Tommy Hilfiger & Mickael Kors) to avant-garde (Zac Posen, Kimberly Ovitz, and Diesel Black Gold) with soundtracks to boot. This year, listen for classics from The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, and Aerosmith and new music from Kanye West, Florence and the Machine, and Lady Gaga.

Not only will we hear music from current and rising stars this fashion week, but also expect to see everyone at the shows, showing support for their favorite designers (many of them presenting collections of their own including Kanye West, Gwen Stefani, Justin Timberlake, P. Diddy, and more. Designers to watch (and listen) for: Wes Gordon (Sept. 10), The Blondes (Sept. 11), DIESEL Black Gold (Sept. 11), Rachel Zoe (Sept. 12), and Hervé Léger by Max Azria (Sept. 8 )