If you ask us, music is what makes a fashion show a "show." And we always hear the greatest songs (old, new, and under the radar) when we jet up north for New York Fashion Week. Here are our top seven songs from the spring 2014 shows. Make them into a playlist and turn the Miami streets into your own personal runway.
1. “Fight for Your Right” by Beastie Boys at DKNY
Photo: Peter Michael Dills/Getty Images
The Look: Donna Karan rocketed back to the year her line originated, 1988. Think overalls, neoprene dresses, and bandana prints cascading down a runway with a graffitied backdrop. The show opened with “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” and closed with Rita Ora walking to “Fight for Your Right.”
The Lyrics: Don't step out of this house if that's the clothes you're gonna wear /
I'll kick you out of my home if you don't cut that hair [YouTube]
2. “Falling” by HAIM at Kate Spade
Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty Images
The Look: Color! The inspiration was the gardens of Giverny, but the bright stripes, candy apple reds, poppy pinks and oranges, lemony florals, and checkerboard prints looked more Alice and Wonderland to us. And we like to think “Falling” was a nod to the rabbit hole.
The Lyrics: I hurl into the moment like I'm standing at the edge / I know that no one's gonna turn me 'round / Just one more step, I could let go [YouTube]
3. “You & Me” (Flume Remix) by Disclosure featuring Eliza Doolittle at Zac Posen
Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
The Look: Think Edith Wharton and high society romance. Voluminous confections, ruffled bodices, and florets suspended in swept away hair.
The Lyrics: It’s gonna be you and me / It’s gonna be everything you’ve ever dreamed / It’s gonna be everything [YouTube]
4. “You’re No Good” by Major Lazer feat Santigold at KaufmanFranco
Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
The Look: One of Jennifer Aniston’s favorite labels, Ken Kaufman and Isaac Franco took a step back from their usual glamazon red carpet looks and focused on easy-chic daywear, i.e. wrap skirts, trench coats, and bandage dresses.
The Lyrics: You’re no good for me / But the way you movin’ at me, oh it might be / No one ever made me feel so sweet [YouTube]
5. “Buffalo Stance” by Neneh Cherry at Rebecca Taylor
Photo: Arun Nevader/Getty Images
The Look: A palette of neutral gray, blue, and blush, with a hint of sportswear (starter-style knit jackets, perforated tops, utilitarian pockets) balanced by muted florals and textured lace.
The Lyrics: Who's looking good today? / Who's looking good in every way? / No style rookie [YouTube]
6. “Send it Up” by Kanye West at Louise Goldin
Photo: Joe Kohen/Getty Images
The Look: Tennis player chic, with a lot of knits, athletic stripes, and clean whites. Abstracted photos from Coachella were plastered on a few looks. Side note: Goldin’s husband is in the music business, and the couple is good friends with West, who sat front row at the show.
The Lyrics: Her heart colder than the souls of men / Louboutin on her toes again [YouTube]
7. “Tightrope” by Janelle Monae featuring Big Boi at Rebecca Minkoff
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
The Look: Latin fierceness. Minkoff was inspired by Frida Kahlo, Bianco Jagger, and Alice Dellal. The result? Short skirts, tons of embroidery, flowing silhouettes, and gladiator sandals at the base of just about every look. Monae performed live, so it was definitely a "show.”
The Lyrics: See I'm not walkin' on it / Or tryin' to run around it / This ain't no acrobatics / You either follow or you lead [YouTube]