Apple Music launches fashion channel curated by designer Alexander Wang
Further blurring the line between technology and high fashion, Apple on Monday added the Apple Music Fashion channel to its streaming platform containing songs curated by noted designer — and music aficionado — Alexander Wang.
Split into three categories — Chill, Hype and Vibe — Wang's selections are an eclectic mix drawing from top-40 hits, R&B jams, new rap releases and more. As Vogue notes, Apple Music Fashion boasts a sampling of music one would expect to hear at one of Wang's fashion shows or afterparties which often find big name music acts in attendance.
In an interview with the publication, Wang explained the thought process that went into creating the channel.
"Chill is my go-to playlist when I get home, when I need to decompress, or when I'm having a night in," Wang said. "Hype — those songs are mostly derived from playlists that I've played in a party bus or en route to a festival or going out. They are songs that kick up the energy. Vibe is more a playlist that's in between, with songs that have high energy and also are great classics. It's good for having people over, drinks; it's kind of pregame music."
Along with a prominent place in the Apple Editors Playlists section of Apple Music, Apple shot an ad for Wang's channel that was subsequently posted to the official Apple Music Twitter account earlier today.
Like other Editors playlists, Apple Music Fashion will be updated regularly in the coming weeks as Wang adds new cuts to his personal collection.
"Year-round I'm always trying to find music and define who the character that season is, thinking about the show, the energy, and the venue, so I start collecting a playlist throughout, using it like a memory bank for songs I like," he said.
Apple has built a close relationship with fashion industry players over the past few years. In 2013, the company supplied Burberry with pre-release iPhone 5s handsets to document a runway show in London. Shortly after the event, then-CEO Angela Ahrendts left Burberry to head up retail operations at tech giant. Burberry has since launched its own Apple Music channel to highlight content from the Burberry Acoustic project.
Apple pushed further into fashion when it debuted a special Apple Watch version with leather straps developed in collaboration with French fashion house Hermes last year. Once limited to package deals, the straps became available for purchase as individual accessories in April.
Apple more recently partnered with leather goods manufacturer Coach on a similar strap accessory initiative, the first products of which are expected to launch on Sunday.
16 Comments
My stomach hurts...
Yes, mean old Apple pointing to a gun to your head, making you listen to the subscription radio channels! The nerve! Like me -- I'm ordered by Tim Cook personally to listen to Disney Princess Radio all day, every day! Argh! Oh wait ...
Who cares? Seriously, please tell me Angela Ahrendts didn't receiver $170 Million to turn the effing platform into a new narcissistic lifestyles device.
If they are wasting time on curating music for your clothing choices they deserve to be mocked until they stop. This crap would have been laughed at by Steve. Worked for him twice and I know quite well this kind of s*** would have been shut down quickly.
You don't remove functionality that was free and replace it with ala carte entrees for every social club you can think of.
So this is basically an Music curated playlist, of which there are many. Why is this newsworthy? Because it was curated by a fashion designer? Why does that matter. I highly doubt any Apple SVP is involved in curating playlists for Music.
Who cares? This provides nothing to anyone.