After a brief hiatus, Frock and Roll is back WITH A VENGEANCE. In September, the world turned its attention to the creative elite, as designers in New York, London, Milan, and Paris, along with a number of smaller markets, presented their spring 2009 collections. Designers invest countless hours and thousands of dollars to insure that their clothing debuts in the best possible light, and music helps to define the mood and inspiration of the collection. Read on to hear about the songs used in some of my favorite designers' spring shows.

3.1 Phillip Lim
The fashion world's love affair with MGMT continues (Frieda Giannini even dedicated Gucci's latest men's line to the band). This time, Phillip Lim selected their hit "Electric Feel" along with Radiohead's "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi" to compliment his Andalusian-inspired collection. He could've have set the scene better by picking out a few songs with latin flair such as Tilly and the Wall's "Bad Education," but maybe I'm just being picky.

Alexander Wang
New York's resident cool kid, hailed in the glossies as the new Marc Jacobs, didn't fail to disappoint. You know you've made it in the fashion world when A-Dubs (aka Anna Wintour, Vogue's editor-in-chief) makes a front row appearance, and the music was just as edgy and fun as the clothes. The sassy, high energy set included Santogold's "You'll Find A Way" and "Handful" by Kelis.

Boy by Band of Outsiders
Scott Sternberg's line is all about classic clothing with a retro feel and a playful twist. The music played during his non-runway presentation hits that note straight on. Check out Magnetic Fields "Absolutely Cuckoo", and "Noah" by Devendra Banhart. And yes, that is Kirsten Dunst in the photo.



Zac Posen
The dashing Zac Posen must have a thing for Stockholm sweetie Lykke Li. His models walked exclusively to her quirky, catchy "Dance Dance Dance" and "I'm Good, I'm Gone." But her tunes were a perfect backdrop to the cute cocktail dresses and red-carpet-worthy gowns that graced the stage.


Other notables: In a case of forgivable nepotism, Charlotte Ronson roped in her brother, accomplished DJ Mark Ronson, to spin a mix including The Pipettes, Lily Allen, and Sigur Ros; DVF showed her super girly side by closing with Diana Ross's "I'm Coming Out" ; Marc Jacobs wins the Unexpected Music Selection Award by rocking out to Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue."

UPDATE: You asked, I answer. Click here for all of these songs organized into one folder for easier downloading. Due to the limitations of our free account, you will still have to get each file individually, but this at least makes it slightly more convenient.

Credits: all photos, style.com. check out vanity fair for the complete list of music compiled by heidi smith.