Music and fashion have a deeper relationship then just lo-fi playing in a dressing room. There is so much more possible. Let music supervisor Francesca Barone (Dolce&Gabbana) and composer Tamara van der Laarse surprise you with their keen ear and eye for music in fashion. From concept to runway, from campaign to store there is a whole world out there ready for you to explore.
How do you translate a brand’s identity into music? What’s the creative process like when you score a runway show or craft the sonic identity of a luxury store? And most importantly – where are the opportunities for composers to step into this space?
Francesca Barone
Independent Music Supervisor, ITFrancesca Barone is an Independent Music Supervisor (Dolce&Gabbana and more), after 17+ years of experience in the music business working as Licensing Manager at Universal Music Publishing, as Synch Manager and A&R at Sony Music Publishing and as Music Consultant at EMI Music Publishing. She lectures at Italian Universities, national/international festivals and music schools; she is co-founder and president at Equaly.it, the first Italian organization actively working to reach gender equality in the Italian music business. Under the name of Franca Barone, she released two albums as a singer-songwriter, composer and producer.
Tamara van der Laarse
Composer & Music Producer, NLTamara van der Laarse is a Dutch music composer/producer based in Amsterdam, she designs music for fashionshows, art performances or moving image. Between age 6-14, she played piano and cello and started producing electronic music, during studying graphic design at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie. Tamara performed as a DJ, and organized her own art parties/fashion raves. Her work as a music composer in fashion started by assisting sound designer Salvador Breed with doing music research for the shows of Iris van Herpen. She performed at art nights, club-, and museum nights, working with artists, choreographers and fashion designers, always being part of a collective art project.
Maxine Penney
Cultural Curator & Founder, Goddess of Queens Music, NLMaxine Penney is a Cultural Curator, DJ, and advocate for mental health and inclusion in music. As co-founder of Goddess of Queens Music, she creates supportive spaces for artists to thrive. With 16+ years in Amsterdam’s creative industry, she’s worked with brands like Monks and AKQA. Maxine hosts a podcast exploring music, culture, and inclusive practices. An experienced moderator and speaker, she’s led sessions at Dutch Design Week, ADsterdam, and JBL x Martin Garrix Music Academy. She’s passionate about connection, wellbeing, and fostering open, diverse conversations in events/creative spaces and believes in Radical Inclusion.