A strong soundtrack or background music for a fashion exhibition adds value to the overall presentation, communicates the vibe of the fashion line, and defines the mood for the entire collection line. Designers are known for handling music with the same care as they do clothing since the two aspects work together to represent the core of a collection. The ramp walk has always been accompanied by an instrumental symphonic, techno, or house beat. Musicians and artists have always found a way to work in the realm of fashion, complementing the ramp walk and giving a dynamic rhythm for the models to display their designer clothing.
In appreciation of live performances at fashion shows, here is a list of performers who made the catwalk more lively with their beat and rhythm. In this article, we’ve included a variety of musical genres in our list of live performances –
James Bay
English singer-songwriter James Bay performed an acoustic at the Burberry Prorsum Womenswear fashion show for the luxury British brand Burberry. In 2014, his musical talents were on display at Kensington Gardens in London for the collection titled ‘The Birds and the Bees.’ He performed his tracks ‘Clocks Go Forward’, ‘When We Were On Fire’, and ‘Scars.’
After his performance, James Bay spoke with MusicNewsWeb for an interview. He said, “It’s kind of a different feeling, it’s similar to a gig, just being in a massive amazing room like that is a pretty different and special version of a gig.”
You can watch the entire fashion show on Burberry’s official YouTube channel by clicking here.
Bruno Mars
The 2016 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show took place at the Grand Palais des Champs-Élysées, a historic landmark, exhibition hall, and museum center in Paris, France. Grammy-winning artist Bruno Mars performed his 2016 hit singles 24K Magic’ and ‘Chunky’ with his band, delivering the tune for the ramp walking models.
It was the first time Victoria’s Secret held a fashion show in Paris, and it is still regarded as one of the top runway presentations until the company’s runway shows were canceled in 2019. Bruno Mars also performed his songs ‘Young Girls’ and ‘Locked Out Of Heaven’ at the 2012 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show held in New York City.
Fall Out Boy Ft. Taylor Swift
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Taylor Swift performed with Fall Out Boy at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show at the Lexington Avenue Armory in New York in 2013. The ensemble performed Fall Out Boys ‘My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark’ to introduce the Victoria Angels and welcome the audience to the show.
Fall Out Boy also went on to sing their 2013 rock single ‘The Phoenix’, while Swift performed ‘I Knew You Were Trouble’ as the models displayed their outfits.
Musicians such as Leela James, Shawn Mendes, Rita Ora, The Chainsmokers, Bebe Rexha, Halsey, Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga, The Weeknd, Rihanna, Ellie Goulding, Ariana Grande, Hozier, and others have all performed at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show through the years.
Rhodes
English singer and songwriter RHODES performed in London’s Kensington Gardens in 2016. As models walked the catwalk exhibiting the Burberry collection, the soul singer performed ‘Close Your Eyes’ backed by a twenty-four-piece orchestra.
Rhodes played the piano while singing vocals on the track. He also sang his 2014 single ‘Breathe‘ and covers versions of Ultravox’s ‘Vienna’ and Screamin Jay Hawkins’s ‘I Put A Spell On You.’ He previously performed ‘Raise Your Love’ for Burberry at the Burberry Womenswear Autumn/Winter in 2014.
You can watch the entire Burberry Menswear Spring/Summer 2016 show by clicking here.
Did You Know?
Burberry Acoustic is a project of the prestigious British fashion business Burberry. It is a platform celebrating rising and renowned British musicians with live performances and special collaborations. It has a YouTube playlist with over eighty tracks and includes a variety of musicians and artists that are consistent with the company’s identity.
Find out more about Burberry Acoustic: HERE
Click here for the playlist on YouTube.
Robbie Williams
On 15 October 2003, Robbie Williams performed at the inaugural Prince’s Trust Fashion Rocks event at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The catwalk ramp was circular with the performing band in its center. As models showcasing Donatella Versace’s collection took the stage, Robbie sang his 2002 release ‘Feel.’
Boy band Blue, funk and jazz band Jamiroquai, country singer Sheryl Crow, and actress Milla Jovovich and her then-band Plastic Has Memory were among the artists who played live that evening.
Fashion Rocks was an annual charity fundraiser that incorporates clothing from the world’s best designers as well as live performances by well-known musicians.
Major Lazer
Electronic dance music DJ trio Major Lazer took their musical talents to the runway at Paris Fashion Week in 2015. At this fashion show, they performed their hit single from 2015 ‘Lean On’ as the models displayed their outfits for French lingerie brand Etam.
Also at this event were performances by French folk-pop duo Lilly Wood & The Prick, alternative pop group The Ting Tings, DJ The Avener, musicians Phoebe Killdeer and The Short Straws, and a concluding performance by hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg.
Austin Mahone
American singer and songwriter lent his vocal talents during the Dolce & Gabbana 2017-18 fall-winter menswear collection during Milan Fashion Week in Italy. As the models strutted down the ramp, he performed ‘Lady,’ a cover song that featured artist Pitbull (a take on the 2000’s ‘Lady Hear Me Tonight’ by French house duo Modjo),’ Pretty And Young,’ ‘Except For Us,’ ‘Double Up,’ ‘Better With You’ and ‘Mmm Yeah’ that also featured Pitbull.
Speaking of his performance on Miami-based music station Y100 Miami in 2018, Austin said, “It was my first time ever doing anything in the fashion world, so it was definitely nerve-racking. I had to perform on the runway but I also had to watch out for three different rows of people walking, you just gotta like dance in and out of people.”
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