The Beat of the Runway: How Electronic Music Became Fashion’s Number One Soundtrack
- Janis Freire
- Oct 2
- 1 min read
Over the past decades, electronic music has evolved from underground clubs to become the official soundtrack of the fashion runway. From Paris to Milan, New York to São Paulo, electronic beats now dictate the rhythm of models on catwalks, turning fashion shows into full multimedia spectacles.
From underground to high fashion
The relationship began in the 1980s and 1990s when designers like Thierry Mugler and Jean Paul Gaultier used techno, house, and synthpop in their shows. These synthetic, hypnotic sounds matched the futuristic spirit of fashion that sought to break conventions.
By the 2000s, the trend intensified: Alexander McQueen explored experimental electronics for dark atmospheres, while Versace and Balmain embraced house and EDM for energetic presentations.
The rhythm of contemporary fashion
Today, electronic music dominates fashion weeks because it represents speed, intensity, and global culture. Genres such as techno, deep house, electroclash, and hyperpop offer versatility that enhances the collections without overshadowing them.
DJs and producers on the spotlight
Modern fashion shows are often soundtracked live by top DJs like Honey Dijon (Louis Vuitton, Dior), Arca, or even mainstream names like Diplo and Peggy Gou. Music is no longer background — it’s part of the show.
More than soundtrack: brand identity
For brands like Balenciaga or Rick Owens, techno is a stylistic DNA. Jacquemus mixes house and nu-disco to reinforce its fresh, sunny image.
The future: total immersion
With new tech and AI, shows will soon integrate 360º immersive sound, interactive music, and hybrid performances. From industrial techno to digital hyperpop, electronic music has become the true soundtrack of fashion.
