Fall Mixed Up by Frédéric Sanchez

Most DJs start small, sweating under cheap disco lights in their local dive bar. Not Frédéric Sanchez. Creating his first sound collages in the late 80s, the Parisian artist went straight for the fashion runway, making his name designing atmospheric soundtracks for shows including the debut by then up-and-coming designer Martin Margiela. Since 1998 he has been expanding his repetoire, collaborating with artists, exhibiting in galleries and devising installations for spaces as diverse as the Grand Palais (for 2010's FIAC Art Fair) and Herzog & De Meuron's unmistakable Prada store in Aoyama, Tokyo (where Sanchez's ambient "Sound Shower" works are updated on a biannual basis). But Sanchez remains the go-to man for music in fashion: over the past 22 years he has masterminded soundscapes for Balmain, Hermès, Jil Sander, Givenchy and many more. Each season, rather than focusing on specific garments and trends, Sanchez works with designers on a conceptual level. “I like them to tell me their stories and inspirations,” he says. “I look at the mood boards rather than the clothes.” This approach produced some mesmerizing audio embellishments for the fall runways. He evoked Miuccia Prada’s dual vision through a decadent, 80s-tinged montage for her “New New Romantics” Miu Miu collection, and an understated combination of jazz and electronics for Prada's modern take on the 50s silhouettes. A serious tone pervaded the Givenchy runway, with strong electronic beats mirroring Riccardo Tisci's androgynous tailoring and blazing Bauhaus colors, while at Marc Jacobs, Sanchez channeled the designer’s whimsical take on luxury with a rendition of the Wizard of Oz's signature power ballad “Over the Rainbow.” Today we premiere a 10-minute sonic collage created exclusively by Sanchez for NOWNESS to encapsulate the spirit of the upcoming fashion season. “It’s very close to my universe: dreams, minimalism and jazz,” he says.

Frédéric Sanchez studio photograph by Jonathan de Villiers