The best catwalk songs from London Fashion Week include:
- Sinnerman – Felix Da Housecat (Nina Simone remix)
- All I Want Is You – Barry Louis Polisar
- Light My Fire – The Doors
These tracks have defined some of the most iconic London Fashion Week shows, from Burberry to JW Anderson.
See the full London Fashion Week playlist + videos ↓
Music has always shaped the atmosphere of London Fashion Week, not just as background, but as a defining part of how collections are experienced.
Originally published in 2013. Updated for 2026.
Full London Fashion Week Playlist (2013–2026)
Over the past decade, the runway soundtrack has evolved from recognisable tracks to curated playlists and bespoke sound design. What’s played on the catwalk reflects and enhances not only the designer’s vision, but the wider cultural moment.
This is a progressive look at London Fashion Week through the designers and the music that defined their shows.
2013: Cultural references and recognisable sound
In 2013, designers leaned into familiar tracks — blending indie, rock, film and early electronic influences.
Topshop Unique
- Peanut Butter (Moon Boots Remix) — Alison Valentine
A lovely youth-driven, upbeat track and reflective of high-street culture
Mulberry
- All I Want Is You — Barry Louis Polisar
The soft, cinematic and nostalgic take from Mulbs
Issa
- The Doors (Classic rock reinforcing timeless elegance)
Ashish
- Felix Da Housecat
Playful, club-driven energy, like the glitter and gold of the brand.
Various shows
- Zombie — The Cranberries
- All Apologies — Nirvana
- This Charming Man — The Smiths
- I’m on Fire — Bruce Springsteen
Showcasing a strong mix of indie nostalgia and cultural identity
2014–2016: Electronic mood and underground influence
As London’s club culture fed into fashion, designers began shifting toward more atmospheric sound.
JW Anderson
- Papua New Guinea — The Future Sound of London (Lovely layered, experimental, forward-thinking beat)
Christopher Kane
- Ecstasy — JJ
This track created soft distortion and emotional tension
House of Holland / club-influenced shows
Chime — Orbital
The fun at HH was often very high-energy electronic sound that is rooted in UK nightlife
Domino — Oxia
2016–2019: Performance and storytelling
Runway shows became immersive experiences, where music played a narrative role to match that collection being unveiled.
Burberry
- Live performances (e.g. Anna Calvi)
Wrapping up true talent on home turf with strong British cultural identity
Alexander McQueen
- Cinematic scoring (e.g. Time — Hans Zimmer)
Highly emotional storytelling through sound, potentially trying to make a bigger sound via orchestral pieces to suit the luxury audiences
2019–2023: Global sound and curated playlists
Music became more diverse, reflecting global culture and streaming influence.
Stella McCartney
- Music Sounds Better With You — Stardust
Mainstream and iconic floor fillers that seem accessible, optimistic and recognisable.
Various shows
- Red Alert — Basement Jaxx
- It’s a Fine Day — Opus III
- Lite Spots — KAYTRANADA
A beautiful balance between classic and contemporary electronic sound
2020: Archive captures from London Fashion Week
We captured these directly from shows:
Erdem
- Dominus Regnavit I — William Christie
- Hunter (Moodswing Remix) — Björk
- Paranatural (Jan Peters Remix) — Verche
Classical meets experimental electronic and that beaut juxtaposition of both.
Tommy Hilfiger
- Let’s Dance — David Bowie
- Love$ick — Mura Masa
- Miss You — Etta James
- Take Me Back to London — Ed Sheeran
Showing a mix of heritage, pop and modern UK sound
Grace Wales Bonner
- Jamie xx (e.g. Loud Places)
Rooted in cultural storytelling and London’s music heritage
2026: Precision, minimalism and mood
Recent shows focus on refined, atmospheric sound.
Joseph
- Spiral — Vangelis
- Off The Road — La Giang
- Something More — Bart Skils & Weska
- Fade To White — John Noseda
- Miracles (Unplugged Mix) — AVIRA (All epic sounds that are super clean, minimal and emotionally controlled matching the collections.
Iconic runway references
Across London Fashion Week, certain tracks have become part of the wider soundtrack:
- Boléro — Ravel (Meadham Kirchhoff)
- Psycho Theme — Bernard Herrmann (Erdem)
- Free — Ultra Naté
- Bad Girls — M.I.A
We love it when designers move between classical, club and pop references.
🗂️ Archive: London Fashion Week 2013
Originally published: 2013
We sat on the front rows at Somerset House last week whilst cabbing it back and forth to Freemasons hall. All in the hope of collecting the raddest catwalk music for our fashion lovers. Our top ten tunes were selected by top brands this AW13. The music really plays a part in the inspiration and message behind a designer’s collection. Turn up our fashion soundtracks……………….
BURBERRY
Christopher Bailey basically turned his catwalk into a Jools Holland extravaganza. We followed Tom Odell’s progress after “Another Love” set the tone for Burb’s SS13 runway. Their AW13 soundtrack consisted of stunning Burberry Acoustic singer Misty Miller, Paloma Faith and Tom Odell.
TOPSHOP
The TOPSHOP Unique show unveiled a circular runway complete with models Cara Delevingne and Jourdan Dunn. Their happy go lucky soundtrack suited the vibe of a twenty something TOPSHOP customer. They used Alison Valentine’s “Peanut Butter” Moon Boots remix.
MULBERRY
Mulberry followed the folk suit of brands like Burberry and selected an emotional song. They actually have great taste in music and chose a tune from the film “Juno.” Mulberry have given this film soundtrack a fashion soundtrack too. Barry Louis’s “All I want Is You” was reflected in the romantic clothing.
MATTHEW WILLIAMSON
Williamson’s choice of a Boys Noize Remix was a sweet tune to hear and had strumming qualities of The Stones or The Kinks. Charlotte Gainsborough’s vocals reminded us of 90’s band, The Cardigans. The descending baseline gave the models a tempo to strut to. Trick Pony was one of our favourite catwalk soundtracks, it embodied the perfect musical recipe with echoey vocals and power beats.
ISSA
We loved the hippie feel at the Issa show. The Doors were the most appropriate soundtrack for this collection. The optimistic 70’s tune gave us an insight into the inspiration behind the design.
ZIAD GHANEM
Ziad Ghanem is a designer who loves to play a huge number of tracks at his shows. Our top two from his vibrant showcase were; “Why Don’t You Do Right” and Monty Python’s “Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.” Freemasons Hall in Covent Garden was buzzing after this dance-fest.
TIMUR KIM
Timurs soundtrack was the first one to kick us off for London Fashion Week. Don Mclean’s American Pie slowly psyched us up for a week of brilliant music. He even played the seven minute version complete with every karaoke verse! This sombre track allowed us to appreciate the 70’s collection at Freemasons Hall in Covent Garden.
GIL AGIS
A psychedelic theme tune was soundtracked for the small catwalk on day two of London Fashion Week. We think a good dose of LSD was taken when this song was produced.
PAUL SMITH
Paul Smith provided a 90’s rap track with robotic like vocals. This tune oozed sex appeal and was produced by Jimmy Edgar.
TEMPERLEY LONDON
Perhaps “Comet” by Lonely Drifter Karen was used to highlight the independent female who wears Temperley’s floor length creations. This track was extremely french and managed to convey the correct dreamy message for the collection. The clothes were inspired by Hitchcock’s muse Tippi Hendren who has inspired many creative people since Sienna Miller played her in “The Girl.”
ASHISH
We bloody love this track. The kind of song you wind to after a day at the beach. Felix The Housecat is the one ! There was enough beat and vocals for the perfect catwalk soundtrack.