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As I go through my feed almost every single day—saving posts, sharing them across platforms, and simply trying to keep myself up to date—I came across an article from SSENSE. The article was titled The Art of the Fashion Brand Playlist.

It immediately caught my attention because it reminded me of discussions from my branding classes about tone, visual identity, meaning, voice, and understanding your audience.

I had just submitted a whopping 14-page paper for my English class over the summer, where I explored the branding of The Neptunes, the iconic production duo that helped define the sound of the 2000s. I examined how they not only transformed music from their hometown of Virginia Beach but also influenced the relationship between music, fashion, and status, ultimately shaping a culture around a brand.

Today, we’re seeing this more than ever. From Old Navy partnering with Cardi B to promote its Curve Style denim collection to collaborations like Charli XCX with Google and Troye Sivan with Gap, brands continue to use artists to build cultural relevance and connect with new audiences. And those are just a few examples.

The short SSENSE article explored this idea by breaking it down into several key sections.
:::writing

If you’d like, I can also make this sound more academic, more like a personal essay, or more like a fashion journalism article.

What does a $4000 coat sound like?

It’s a question music supervisors, designers, and fashion houses are increasingly trying to answer as playlists become an extension of brand identity. Drawing on conversations with curator Cédric Marszewski, music journalist Derrick Gee, and Gap playlist archivist Michael Bise, Tina Zhang (@tinarzhang)



It’s more than what’s playing on the runway—it’s about how a brand’s sound is translated visually. What patterns emerge from the music? How does the rhythm match the flow of the collection? What images surround the mood boards? How do the details, the photography, and the interior and exterior presentation of the products reinforce the story being told?

These are the questions I often ask myself whenever I’m styling a look. I want to make sure that every choice has purpose and emphasis. I even think about the basic elements and principles of design and how they influence the way something is styled. Is there a pattern inspired by an everyday object? Is there a larger concept or theme? Is it portraying something deeply rooted in society? What is the message? I find myself constantly asking these questions.

As we continue moving toward a more innovation-driven future, we’re also seeing categories that were once separate begin to merge. Sports and fashion, fashion and music, music and other forms of art—the list goes on. These are the kinds of questions we should continue asking if we want creativity and culture to keep evolving.

This isn’t just about appealing to a new generation or chasing what’s trendy. I don’t think that’s what this article is trying to say. Instead, I think it’s exploring how people can feel a sense of community with a brand, even if they don’t own the product itself.

That’s honestly one of the reasons I started creating fashion illustrations. They allow me to experience a brand visually in a way that extends beyond clothing. I can imagine an illustration on a sticker, a blanket, a framed print hanging on a wall, or another everyday object. Even if you don’t own that specific garment, you can still connect with the ideas behind it.

It’s similar to walking through a museum. You don’t walk in expecting to buy a $5 million painting. You’re there to experience the concepts, the craftsmanship, and the emotions behind the work. Those are the things you take with you. In the same way, branding isn’t always about making a purchase. Sometimes it’s about connecting with the vision, the story, and the culture a brand creates—even if you’re simply window shopping.

This version keeps your personal perspective while making the ideas more cohesive and easier to read. If this is for your fashion blog, it reads like an editorial rather than a first draft.