How To Become Fashion’s Favorite DJ

Welcome to Hypebae’s new advice column, Field Notes. This series will provide you with everything you need to know about tapping into your dream industry. Whether you’re an emerging designer, stylist, photographer or simply creatively inclined and seeking to make your side hustle your main gig, Field Notes is for you. Stay tuned monthly as we provide exclusive access to the creatives leading your field, their essential advice and words of encouragement for your next era.

Is it just us, or does everyone want to be a DJ these days? According to fashion's favorite sound selectors, it's a trend they've clocked too. In this installment of Field Notes, we sat down with the industry's best to discuss how to become a respected source within the scene, from Fashion Week events to brand activations.

From Paris runways to partnering with streetwear’s best, each of these DJs is the moment – and that’s why they're constantly booked. To start, DJ Honey talks about coming up in the Virgil Abloh era of fashion and how that foundation led to her first-ever Adidas fashion collab. DJ Sky Jetta, the Queen of hair art and NYC’s go-to, Dylan Ali, talk luxury fashion sets for brands like Balmain, and boundary-setting with nightlife, so you don't burn out.

DJs Mellow Domingo and Yazmine teach the girls how to find the right brands to work with, from Jordan to Converse. Elsewhere, Parvané Barret and Simmy drop affirmations for the ones experimenting with sounds and also, how to know which party setting is best for your selections. Need to know how to strike the balance between radio's top hits and deep cuts? They got you. Don't know whether you're best for Fashion Week or club residency settings? They dive into that, too.

Keep reading for tips on how to get your foot in the door, create longevity and tap fashion to amplify your brand and community.

What makes a DJ set memorable at a fashion event compared to a club or festival?

Honey: Intimacy. Fashion events feel different because the rooms are smaller and the energy is tighter. There’s no pressure to perform for thousands; it’s about creating a vibe in the room that feels special and curated.

Simmy: It lets me get experimental. I can drop throwbacks, rare edits and tracks I’d never touch at a club or festival. The crowd’s there for the vibe, so I get to craft a soundscape that’s as bold and unpredictable as the fashion itself.

How do you approach crafting a sound that fits a brand’s identity and aesthetic?

Ali: I spent an extensive amount of time during nightclub sets studying what songs work for different audiences, scanning the room’s reactions. Sometimes brands will make suggestions, and I’ll base my selections on their preferences.

Barret: My goal is to create a sound that feels like a natural extension of the brand – something that enhances their identity rather than overshadowing it.

Domingo: If you and the designer were on a road trip and you pressed shuffle on a shared playlist, what would come up? Play that. That’s how you establish a balance between staying true to yourself and playing what the designer wants. It’s important that you can see yourself in the designer’s world.

Yazmine: Research. I was able to DJ for the TTSWTRS fashion show, which gave me full control to mix ambient sounds for three hours. It tested my skills, but I wouldn’t have been able to do the job right without research.

Do you have any rituals that help you build confidence before a gig?

Barret: Simple breath work, having a good meal and disconnecting from music a few hours before the gig. It’s important to allow yourself to have fun.

Domingo: 3 secrets: Electrolit, something to munch on and a badass playlist. Singing in the mirror is required.

Sky Jetta: I keep my day calm so I can walk into the booth with a clear mind and unleash my full energy on the crowd.

Simmy: I love to vibe out to music. It gives me a confidence boost and reminds me to trust my music taste.

Yazmine: Meditating and mantras. My two favorite mantras are "May I be happy" and "I am enough."

What role does your personal style play in getting booked?

Sky Jetta: My style is the visual introduction to my sound, which is a signature mix of glamour and edge that makes me instantly recognizable.

Music and fashion are both chaotic. How do you keep calm while maintaining a steady pace?

Ali: When I’m not at work, I avoid partying altogether unless it’s something that inspires me, supports friends or for a special occasion. Keeping a strict separation of party and personal life has made it easier to manage.

Honey: If you stay focused and keep a clear schedule, it’s so much fun. After fashion week, I go back to LA to ground myself. I’m in the studio working on music, building out the next Club Honey and running my podcast. That balance fuels me.

How do you know which collaborations are the best fit for your style – in both music and fashion?

Barret: I look for partnerships that not only complement my style but also challenge me creatively. It’s about striking a balance between respecting the brand's vision and maintaining my artistic integrity.

Domingo: If I'd wear it, I'd DJ for it. How will I feel when I put the pieces on? What does the designer’s world look like through my eyes? Can I see myself in it?

Jetta: If the energy, values and aesthetics align, it's a natural fit — whether it's a track or a look.

What's your best advice for aspiring DJs seeking to become fashion's favorite?

Ali: Play – literally and figuratively! Have as much fun as humanly possible.

Honey: Everyone's a DJ now. What matters is locking in on the music, because that’s what will speak volumes.

Jetta: Own your identity and make it impossible to separate your look from your sound. Authenticity is what turns style into a signature.

Simmy: Be fearless and stay true to yourself. Go into rooms that intimidate you and soak up the experience. I also recommend building a music catalog that’s unexpected and far from the mainstream.

Yazmine: DJ because it’s healing, not because it looks fun. It's more work than you think.

This interview has been condensed for clarity.

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