Sounds & Style is your new fashion podcast obsession

“I never feel quite as free as I do on a dancefloor,” says Martine Rose during the first episode of Sounds & Style, a new podcast from NTS, hosted by editor and journalist Lynette Nylander. “When the vibe in the club syncs with a feeling inside,” continues Rose, “it doesn’t matter who you are, what you do – there is nothing like it. The feeling of total freedom.” From its inception, Rose’s eponymous label has always been a “love letter to nightlife” – as Nylander describes it in the episode – so it makes sense the British designer would be the first guest on a podcast that explores the links between music and style.

But it was Nylander’s obsession with the Radio 4 programme Desert Island Discs that birthed the idea for Sounds & Style. Though she’s left London behind for NYC, Nylander admits that she still tunes into the British show every week from her new home, and its format inspired a novel take on the genre. “I thought about that as a basis for it,” she says, “but how I could intersperse fashion and cultural discussion. But, yeah – it’s the Desert Island Discs of fashion.” Rose’s picks in the episode – songs like Frankie Knuckles’ “Tears” and Goldie’s “Timeless” – are discussed with emotion and joy, with listeners getting a real insight into how music has always underpinned the designer’s creative process. And if all that wasn’t enough, upcoming episodes are set to feature Lily Allen, Liz Johnson Artur, Mel Ottenberg and Euphoria costume designer Heidi Bivens.

Below, we catch up with Nylander about the ideas behind the podcast, her music and fashion influences, and the one luxury she’d sneak onto a desert island.

Hey Lynette! How did the idea for the show come about?

Lynette Nylander: NTS founder Femi Adeyemi had been toying around with the idea of talk radio for a long time. He’s launched some other amazing podcasts and thought a fashion one would be great to add to the mix. I looked at the landscape of fashion podcasts and didn’t really see ones that weren’t either industry focused or about particular garments. Sounds & Style is really a more anthropological look at why we make the choices we do and how it’s all interconnected. The music we listen to, the way we dress, how we interact with people and places around us. That’s what I like about fashion, because I think it’s been bastardised by loads of other things.

Can you talk about the premise?

Lynette Nylander: I am obsessed with Desert Island Discs, I still listen to it every week living in New York. I thought about that as a basis for it, but how I could intersperse fashion and cultural discussion. But, yeah – it’s the Desert Island Discs of fashion. 

How does music influence your style now? How has it in the past? 

Lynette Nylander: I always say, I was super inspired by the alt Black females that I listened to growing up. Betty Davis, Skin from Skunk Anansie, Shingai from the Noisettes, Chaka Khan, Res, Kelis, Erykah Badu. They allowed me to break out of what everyone was wearing that was trendy and choose my own path. The images of those women are still in my head when I put myself together today and I’ll never lose that.

“I went to some terrible, terrible gigs. I definitely remember a Blazing Squad one” – Lynette Nylander

Who’s your ultimate musical style icon?

Lynette Nylander: Hmmm… I am honestly going to say Kelis. To me, she is so criminally underrated as a style icon. Google her wedding dress! The video for “Good Stuff” is burned into my brain. Her hair was everything. She’s one of the few people I’m proud to wear a concert tee of!

First gig you went to?

Lynette Nylander: Oh my god, I’m not sure I would even remember. I went to Reading Festival pretty early on, and would go to 93 Feet East [on London’s Brick Lane] and see new bands, but also went to some terrible terrible gigs. I definitely remember a Blazing Squad one.

You’re always out and about at runway shows. Best ever runway soundtrack? 

Lynette Nylander: Prada soundtracks are always clever. Miuccia Prada lifts from everywhere and they always lend themselves to the collection. My friend Marco [Capaldo, of 16Arlington] used “Human Nature” by Madonna recently. That song and video directed by Jean Baptiste Mondino is one of my favourite music videos of all time.

You’re stuck on a desert island. You can take one album, one look, and one luxury item. What are they? 

Prada I would take a crazy Comme look because it can probably double as a flotation device. Right now, I would take Lord of Lords by Alice Coltrane and a bottle of champagne. 

Who’s your dream guest now this series has wrapped up?

Lynette Nylander: I can’t say Kelis again. Chloë Sevigny really embodies what the podcast is about. Lady Miss Kier, RuPaul, Lypsinka, André 3000, Björk, Patricia Field…

Sounds & Styles episode 1 is available on all podcast platforms, with new episodes dropping on Wednesdays.