A special guest at a Ryuichi Sakamoto concert summons a host of international possibilities -- David Sylvian or Bowie, perhaps? Instead, the audience at Sakamoto's recent Christmas concert got designer Yohji Yamamoto clutching an acoustic guitar. Yamamoto's foray into music (he has recorded with rootsy avant-gardist Kyon and has recently been gigging at the Star Pine's Cafe in Kichijoji) is just one of many developments in the gradual convergence of music and fashion.
French fashion company A.P.C. is generally credited as a first to pair music and catwalk fashions. They chose to complement their simple, stylish designs with CD releases of obscure Brazilian bossa nova. Now shops as diverse as the Banana Republic and furniture maker Franc Franc also sell CD compilations intended to represent their sense of style.
Of course, street fashion has always intermingled with music. Tommy Hilfiger's brand seems to morph in sync with the latest rap innovations. Japanese street designer Nobu, the brains behind hipster label Hysteric Glamour, has DJ equipment in his studio to keep his ideas fresh.