Whether it's an up-tempo chart song, an old skool rap beat or classical music on loop, the music on the runway matters. It's also a place to spot new musical trends: let us not forget Azealia Banks and Lana Del Rey records dominated the catwalk last season. For the DJ, it's about synching perfectly with the designers' vision for the show.
This is not a problem for some designers (I'm looking at you Charlotte Ronson – sister of Mark and Samantha), for others, it takes months of planning.
One DJ who is not shy at rocking the catwalk and lending her expert ear to designers is Becka Diamond, who is in high demand this season. We grabbed a minute with her to find out the top five songs she'll be playing this September.
1. Grimes – Genesis
I love her, she's just an awesome Canadian girl. She's been on my playlist since I heard her first song. She's really interesting because I'm a big Cocteau Twins fan and her sound reminded me of them, but I found out that she had never heard of them before she started singing.
2. Lana Del Rey – Blue Jeans (Penguin Prison Remix)
The remix has a sexier vibe to it than the original ballad version. It sounds like a hurt, scorned woman, which I feel like many fashion collections have been designed around at one time or another. When I hear it, I just picture smoky eyes and a deep stare. Ever since I heard the remix I've wanted to play it at a runway show.
3. Chromatics – Kill for Love
I'm playing a lot of shows and parties this season from designer anniversaries to my favourite night at Le Bain at the Standard hotel, so I have to have a good mix of records. This is a perfect mid-tempo record – with a great beat.
4. The Kills – Sour Cheery
This is great walking music, as it plays you can just imagine the models stomping down the runway.
5. Mötley Crüe – Too Young To Fall in Love
I'm on a huge hair-metal kick lately and Mötley Crüe is the definition of this: they are classic LA – a city I just moved to. I'm DJing a show for Heidi Gardner this season, the presentation of her jewellery line, and she wanted all that awesome rock'n'roll stuff – so I've been playing it a lot recently. I also just finished reading their rock biography – amazing!
A big music trend right now: "The classic oldie tunes, girl groups from the 1960s, such as the Supremes and Shangri-Las."
The song you'd most like to hear this week: "My absolute favourite would be to hear a Nick Cave song – but it would have to be the right show."
Where you'll be tonight: "Le Bain, the Standard" – in New York's meatpacking district.
Becka Diamond is a full-time DJ and runs the website 13:13 – catch her NYFW antics and underground music mixes there.
