Why familiar pop songs and nostalgic favourites made an impression on the Spring/Summer 2027 runways.
Something felt noticeably different about the music at the Spring/Summer 2027 shows. Britney Spears at Chanel, Troye Sivan at Valentino and Faith Evans at Schiaparelli were among the familiar names providing the soundtracks to some of the season’s biggest collections. Audiences recognised these songs immediately, bringing a sense of nostalgia.
Of course, the idea of popular music influencing fashion is hardly new. The two have been closely linked for decades, with designers working alongside musicians, DJs, and composers to set the mood for their collections. But this season, there appeared to be a particular appetite for well-known tracks, with pop, R&B and classic hits taking precedence over more experimental sounds or instrumental tracks.
It’s a particularly interesting development as runway presentations are now increasingly experienced through short social media videos. A recognisable song can instantly capture attention and create an emotional connection with audiences far beyond the front row. It can also change the way we experience a collection. This season, the music often felt as memorable as the clothes themselves.
Here are five shows that demonstrated the power of a great soundtrack.
CHANEL: BRITNEY SPEARS GIMME MORE
Matthieu Blazy presented Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2027 collection at the Grand Palais, where an elaborate installation of suspended birds set the scene for his latest interpretation of the house’s codes. The soundtrack moved between classical compositions and contemporary favourites, with Britney Spears’ Gimme More providing an unexpected pop moment. Released in 2007, the song brought playful energy to a collection that explored lighter fabrics, relaxed tailoring, and movement.
VALENTINO: TROYE SIVAN PARTY
Alessandro Michele transformed Paris’ Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève into the setting for Valentino’s Antibiblioteca collection. Troye Sivan’s Party played throughout the presentation, bringing a contemporary pop soundtrack to a space normally associated with silence and study. The music complemented a collection filled with elaborate embellishment, romantic silhouettes and dramatic styling, reinforcing Michele’s playful approach to fashion.
SCHIAPARELLI: FAITH EVANS
At Schiaparelli, Daniel Roseberry turned to familiar R&B and pop favourites, with music by Faith Evans, Mariah Carey and Missy Elliott providing the soundtrack to his Spring/Summer 2027 collection. The upbeat selection brought warmth and nostalgia to the presentation, accompanying a collection that explored a more relaxed take on the house’s distinctive aesthetic.
SAINT LAURENT: CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG LIVE
Perhaps the season’s most emotional musical moment came at Saint Laurent, where Charlotte Gainsbourg performed live during the finale of Anthony Vaccarello’s Spring/Summer 2027 show. Under enormous chandeliers, with the Eiffel Tower lit behind the runway, the collection marked ten years since Vaccarello’s debut at the house. Gainsbourg, a longtime friend and collaborator of the designer, appeared in a black Saint Laurent suit to perform a song dedicated to the house.
DIOR – YEAR OF THE CAT BY AL STEWART
For Dior’s Spring/Summer 2027 show, Al Stewart’s 1976 classic Year of the Cat brought a distinctly nostalgic mood to the runway. Its laid-back melody and cinematic feel provided an unexpected soundtrack, adding a touch of 1970s romance to the presentation.
BALENCIAGA – BENEATH YOUR BEAUTIFUL BY LABRINTH FT. EMELI SANDÉ
Balenciaga took a more emotional approach, opening the show with The Fugees’ “Ready or Not” and choosing Labrinth and Emeli Sandé’s “Beneath Your Beautiful” for its Spring/Summer 2027 show. The soaring vocals and heartfelt lyrics brought intimacy to the runway, creating an interesting contrast with the house’s dramatic silhouettes.
